The Uncertain Future

WE Are Stronger Together

As WE look ahead to the future of public education in Milpitas, throughout California, and across our nation, WE must recognize the uncertainties with our eyes wide open, hearts connected, and a shared commitment to use our anger, disappointment, and fear as the fuel to poWEr our work together of purpose and unity. WE all wear different hats, have different views, and come from different backgrounds. 

WE are entering a period that will test the strength of our systems, values, and the resilience of our will. Federal support for public education, diversity, equity, and inclusion is shrinking. Our immigrant and international families—who represent the cultural and economic backbone of the Bay Area—are facing new waves of fear and instability. Rising inflation, healthcare costs, and reduced services are challenging how WE care for ourselves, each other and our students. And the era of increasing school funding year after year is giving way to new fiscal realities: the demand to do more with less.

In times like these, the simple path is to assign blame and retreat. The opportunistic and harder path—but more courageous— is to lock arms, recognize our shared humanity, and push forward together.

What Does “Stronger Together” Mean in Milpitas?

It means empathy.
It means listening deeply—to the caregiver struggling with job loss, to the student silently navigating hardship, to the teacher carrying the WEight of both the classroom and their own household. It means recognizing that our site administrators, district leaders, and support staff are balancing countless responsibilities while trying to meet the diverse needs of our school community.

It means respect.
Respect for each other’s lived experiences, professional wisdom, and cultural perspectives. Healthy dialogue is WElcome—but division is not. Disagreement should never distract us from our shared mission: the success of our students. Our students are our children.

It means keeping children at the center.
Every conversation, every challenge, every decision must ansWEr the question: Will this build or destroy? Will it open minds or close hearts? Will it help students learn, grow, and thrive? If the ansWEr isn’t clear, WE find clarity—together.

It means courage.
The courage to speak openly about what isn’t working. The courage to recognize how to use the past to build our tomorrow. We must have the courage to have open ears and stay in the room, even when it’s difficult—because WE are fighting not just for our own children, but for every child in our district.

A Collective Call to Action

To our Superintendent, Executive Cabinet, and Association Leaders:
More than ever, you must lead by example. Our culture, our climate, and our commitment to students will be measured by how WE treat one another. Let us center this work on shared values of faith, hope, and love.

To our classified staff, teachers, and school site teams:
You are the foundation of every success in our district. You are the faces our caregivers and students know and trust. I believe your strength, adaptability, and compassion are the heartbeat of MUSD. Thank you for showing up every day for our kids.

To our caregivers and parents:
WE need your support, patience and presence. Your children are watching everything both of us say and do. They are  learning to lead (or not) from how WE respond. When families, schools and communities work together, our humanity shines.

To our students:
You are the reason WE do this. You push me to grow. You push us to grow, and your brilliance gives us hope. WE see you, WE believe in you, and WE are here for you—always.

The Road AheadI consider myself an optimist—and I hold tightly to that optimism, even as the road ahead feels uncertain. I won’t let it go, because I believe in our MUSD leaders, MUSD educators, MUSD classified team members, Milpitas families, amazing students, and the collective poWEr of “WE.”

A good friend of mine once said to me, “Focused persistence is systemic resistance.” None of us can navigate these challenges alone. But together, WE can do something extraordinary together. WE must do something extraordinary together. Every crisis presents a choice—and every choice creates an opportunity. Let us choose to lead with courage and resolve. Let us choose to serve with compassion. Let us choose to build a future grounded not in fear, but in human excellence. WE must be stronger together. The choice is ours. 

In community,


Chris Norwood
President, Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees 2024-2025

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