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Tony Smith's Legacy to Emeryville

November 2007

It’s never easy to say goodbye to someone, even when you realize their departure is inevitable. It’s especially hard when that person has been a friend, community leader, inspirational partner, and a heck of a nice guy as well.

And so it is with these thoughts that Emeryville says goodbye to Dr. Tony Smith, Superintendent of the Emery Unified School District for the last three years. Tony leaves Emery at the end of October to take a position with the San Francisco School District.

Tony, a former offensive lineman for the Cal Bears, Green Bay Packers and S.F. 49’ers, possesses a heart and mind as expansive and strong as those broad shoulders of his. Tony came to Emery in 2004 to a district that was just recovering from a severe financial crisis, and had indeed been under State administration. But the challenges Tony faced went far beyond finances. While financial support of public schools is critical, the District’s problems went way beyond money. Test scores were near the bottom of State rankings; school facilities were shabby and unsafe; the District’s reputation was in the tank and recruiting quality teachers, staff and families was exceedingly difficult.

Tony faced the challenge with unflinching resolve. Using every tool at his disposal, he immediately got to work forging strong and deep partnerships with key constituencies, including City leaders, the business community and parents. He helped the District obtain State grant money. He was instrumental in working with the Chamber of Commerce and our business community to enhance the crucially-important relationship between the two and take that relationship to a new level. Tony kept his best staff people, got rid of those who needed to go and recruited outstanding administrators to his management team. He reallocated resources to where they were most needed, and his non-stop enthusiasm and optimism was tangible evidence of a District on the rebound.

The result has been a solid track record of achievement. Test scores are improving. Enrollment is up. Facilities have been refurbished, and Emeryville voters supported a renewed and increased Measure A by an overwhelming margin, guaranteeing a crucially-important revenue stream for the schools. The vote on Measure A was also truly a vote of confidence for Tony Smith’s work.

While tremendous strides have been made, even Tony – never one to mince words – would be one of the first to tell you that huge challenges still remain. But the District is clearly headed in the right direction.

Tony Smith leaves Emery with a lot more than many wonderful memories. He’s left the District a better, stronger place, well-positioned to provide a caring and nurturing environment for the students, teachers and staff. But most of all, Tony has left us as a better City and better school district.

Rarely in your life will you meet someone who you will later say you were fortunate to have met and worked with. That statement fits Tony Smith like a glove. There is an old saying that says that the true measure of someone’s wealth is not judged by the money they have acquired, but by the friends they have made. By that standard, Tony Smith leaves Emeryville a very wealthy man indeed. We thank him for his tireless service to the Emeryville community, and wish him only the best in his new position.