[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7459]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. KENT L. BECHLER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to communities of Corona 
and Norco are exceptional. Our area has been fortunate to have dynamic 
and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give 
their time and talent and make their communities a better place to live 
and work. Dr. Kent Bechler is one of these individuals. At a retirement 
reception on May 23, 2012, Kent will be honored for his work as the 
Corona-Norco Unified School District Superintendent.
  For the last five years, Dr. Kent Bechler has been the superintendent 
of the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD), the ninth largest 
school district in California serving more than 54,000 students. Prior 
to heading the Corona-Norco Unified School District, he served as 
superintendent in Walnut Valley Unified and Duarte Unified School 
Districts. Dr. Bechler has served K-12 education for 32 years.
  Since assuming the CNUSD Superintendent position, he has guided the 
district through many challenges and many accomplishments. With 
collaboration and problem solving, the district has survived the state 
budget crisis by successfully implementing a retirement incentive 
program that eliminated the need to impose layoffs. To address 
overcrowding, the district opened two new elementary schools, and began 
expansion of campus facilities as six schools through modernization 
projects.
  Under his leadership, the district has experienced a steady increase 
in academic scores for students, the development of a planned systemic 
professional development program, gains in technology including 13 
grants, collaborative labor agreements that have not only maintained 
but enhanced the district fiscally, and leadership development and 
professional collaboration time.
  In March, Corona-Norco Unified School District was named one of four 
American school districts selected as a 2012 finalist for the one 
million dollar Broad Prize for Urban Education. The Broad Prize for 
Urban Education is the largest education prize in the country, honoring 
school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and 
improvement in student achievement, while reducing achievement gaps 
among poor and minority students.
  Dr. Bechler has extensive training experience in management, 
leadership, systems, policies and procedures, strategic planning, labor 
relations and developing collaboration and teamwork within 
organizations. He is well known for developing trusting relationships, 
team building and resolving organizational conflict. His academic work 
includes teaching adjunct classes at the university level and 
consulting with educational institutions, business and other 
organizations. He was recently named the 2012 California State 
Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School 
Administrators.
  Dr. Bechler received a Bachelor's Degree in social work from Azusa 
Pacific University, a Master's Degree in Educational Administration 
from California State University, Los Angeles and his Doctorate of 
Education from Claremont Graduate University.
  Dr. Bechler was born in Saginaw, Michigan and raised in South Central 
Los Angeles. He has traveled extensively throughout South America, New 
Zealand, Australia, and Mainland China playing basketball. He resides 
in Upland with his wife Karen and together they have three children and 
two grandchildren.
  In light of all Kent Bechler has done for the students, parents and 
communities of Corona and Norco, it is only fitting that he be honored 
as he retires from the School District. Dr. Bechler's tireless passion 
for education and public service has contributed immensely to the 
betterment of our communities and I am proud to call him a fellow 
community member, American and friend. I know that many community 
members are grateful for his service and salute him as he retires and 
moves onto the next phase of his life.

                          ____________________