SAN JOSE, CA — Milpitas Unified School District Board President Chris Norwood has been chosen as the 2020 CSBA Board Member of the Year and Golden Gavel recipient. Since 2014, Norwood has demonstrated what it means to lead for students, the schools they attend, and their communities.
The Golden Gavel award honors individual school board members and governance teams who exemplify best practices in effective governance and boardsmanship. Norwood, himself a Milpitas High School alumnus, was chosen from among nearly 5,000 school board members making up 977 school boards throughout the state.
“President Chris Norwood is among the strongest of advocates for public education. His dedication to improving student outcomes and well-being, both in his community and at the state level, is grounded in his well-established leadership values and genuine commitment to best practices in governance, as well as his passion for serving the Milpitas USD community,” said Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan.”
Norwood has taken what he learned through CSBA’s comprehensive professional development opportunities — including the Annual Education Conference, Board President's Training, Institute for New and First Term Board Members, Masters in Governance and Orientation for New Trustees — to represent his district in working with policymakers throughout the state.
In his work with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, Norwood has been influential in molding state math placement and education finance legislation; was a co-panelist with former California State Board of Education President Mike Kirst at an American Leadership Forum event; and invested heavily in community engagement by co-hosting local discussions on violence prevention, housing for teachers and vulnerable families, and other critical topics in the district.
Norwood’s steadfast boardsmanship has, and will continue to, support the Milpitas USD community in overcoming adversity through dialogue and collaboration. True to his dedication to building a ‘Culture of We’ — in which the MUSD governance team internalizes an openness to differing perspectives and curiosity about what is possible through effective boardsmanship — Norwood shares credit with the current and former board members and district staff who have put in the time and effort to help build a brighter future for today’s youth.
“This award recognizes the excellence of individuals representing public school governance. We are honored to congratulate President Norwood on this significant accomplishment, and are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate his dedication to the students and broader community of Santa Clara County,” said Santa Clara County Board of Education President, Claudia Rossi.
Milpitas USD Board of Education President, Chris Norwood, received special recognition of his status as CSBA 2020 Board Member of the Year during the Santa Clara County Board of Education meeting on January 13, 2021.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
