ACSA’s Ferd. Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award honors individuals who have made a significant impact on public education throughout the course of their career. As one of the association’s highest honors, it celebrates the memory of ACSA’s founding president.
This year, the award goes to Herbert Fischer, a longtime educator whose legacy to public schools will last for generations to come. Fischer is known as a visionary and innovative educational leader. He is known as a passionate leader who has dedicated his life to making positive change for others.
Fischer’s career in education has spanned nearly four decades, most recently as San Bernardino County superintendent of schools, where he served the last 10 years.
Although he retired last year, Fischer left a legacy of improved academic success and strong community partnerships. During his tenure, he founded ground-breaking academic programs and implemented the Alliance for Education, a program that has more than 1,500 partners in business, labor, community and faith-based organizations to bring relevance and rigor to secondary education in the county.
“Dr. Herb Fischer stands out as a visionary and innovative leader in education,” said Larry Sharp, chief executive officer of the Arrowhead Credit Union and one of the founding leaders for the Alliance for Education. “His passion and life work have been about making positive change for others. In our region, he saw the need to form an alliance with the business community working in collaboration with education to develop future graduates and economic prosperity. He has built quality relationships and developed a solid, committed partnership in which students succeed and communities grow stronger.”
One of the other hallmarks of Fischer’s tenure in San Bernardino County was to ensure students in county programs had access to adequate and permanent school housing. He secured more than $250 million in state construction money – the largest for a county schools office in California – to build and open seven new schools, with three more scheduled to open after he retired. The sites provide facilities for alternative, special ed and preschool programs.
Fischer’s achievements extend far beyond the county level. He was appointed to Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell’s P-16 Council. O’Connell also called on him to ensure graduates are prepared for the challenges of work or college through the American Diploma Project. He was also appointed as chair of the California State University Educational Doctorate Advisory Committee by Chancellor Charles Reed.
U.S. Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif, said Fischer has helped his office tremendously and has been instrumental in providing a world-class education to students countywide.
“From participating in roundtables and hearings to providing feedback on important legislation before the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, Dr. Fischer has been incredibly helpful and an invaluable resource to my staff and me,” McKeon said. “His work on behalf of the county’s students to ensure that they have access to and receive a high-quality education has set the standard for years to come.”
Fischer began his educational career as a teacher in San Bernardino City USD in 1969. He worked as principal, director and assistant superintendent. In 1991, he became superintendent of the Colton USD before being named San Bernardino County superintendent of schools in 1998.
Fischer received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1965, and a master’s and doctorate in education administration from UC Riverside in 1976 and 1983 respectively.
Fischer is no stranger to public recognition for his hard work. He received the Honorary Service Award from the PTA in 2008; Children’s Network Lifetime Advocacy Award, also in 2008; President’s Choice Award from the African-American Employee Association in 2002; UC Riverside Alumni Public Service Award in 2001; and ACSA’s Superintendent of the Year Award for Riverside/San Bernardino counties in 1998.
Fischer was formally honored during ACSA’s Awards Presentation Nov. 6 at the 2009 Leadership Summit in Sacramento. During the event, Fischer reflected on his role in public education over his lifetime.
“We are in the most important business there is,” he said. “I don’t think there is another institution that has the potential to change the character of our communities, of our counties, of our states or of our nation. We are the bedrock, we are the foundation of our nation.
“I think back to the times I was a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent and superintendent. In every one of those there was the opportunity to dignify students and make a difference in their lives.”