Jeffrey Felix named community service leader of the year

By: PATTI MAGEE - Staff Writer | Sunday, November 11, 2007 9:55 PM PST ∞

BONSALL ---- Bonsall Union School District Superintendent Jeffrey Felix took a side road on his way to a career in education.

The Bonsall Chamber of Commerce's Community Service Leader of the Year graduated from Escondido High School in 1971 and Northern Arizona University in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in communications. After that, he returned to Escondido, where he worked as a small-business owner for 10 years ---- operating restaurants, retail clothing stores and screen printing warehouses.

He said his years as a business owner helped him when he began working with school district employees and budgets.

"A school district really is a business," he said. "We are the largest employer in Bonsall, and having the experience of running my own businesses has given me a unique perspective. If I had just had the teaching experience, I'm not sure I would have had as rich an experience to draw from."

Felix said he decided to tap into his early interest in becoming a teacher when he left the business world to enroll at National University. He graduated in 1987 with a teaching credential and master's degree in computer science. A few years later he returned to school to obtain an administrative credential.

His first teaching position was at his elementary alma mater, Rose Elementary School in Escondido. He later moved across town to Light & Life Christian School, where he held positions as a teacher, principal and superintendent.

He then returned to the public school system, becoming superintendent and principal of the San Pasqual Union School District in 1997. The district grew from 220 students to 580 students in the 10 years he served there. In his first year, he said he negotiated for a school for 100 students at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and helped create and design the $15 million award-winning, theme-based school on Rockwood Road.

The Bonsall district hired him as its new superintendent in 2006, and since then he has revised the policy manual, negotiated the classified union's collective bargaining agreement after a three-year stalemate, created a new Web site, built a new phone and e-mail communication system in all four of the district's schools.

He said that this year he plans to oversee the makeover of the district technology plan, implement a new student information system, bring a new plan for math textbooks to the school board, and locate a site for the next elementary school, and, possibly for the proposed Bonsall High School.

School board President Lou Riddle said Felix was "an inspirational leader and a great organizer."

"He creates enthusiasm among his subordinates and the community at large," he said. "He is passionate about his job and education. He is deserving of this award."

Chamber officials said he was chosen as Community Service Leader of the Year because of the fresh outlook he brought to the school system.

Felix said he's delighted to get the award.

"I feel especially honored because I am so new to the community," he said. "When I got here, I made it a point to get out and see people. I spoke to the service clubs. The chamber president took me under her wing. She took me to the San Luis Rey Downs Thoroughbred Training Center, and I went to chamber mixers."

Locally, Felix serves as the chairman of the Board for Arts Off Broadway (AOB), a children's theatre group. He has also served as president of the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club, a speaker for the Boy Scouts, a coach for North County Youth Soccer Association, and an assistant coach for Escondido High School's football program.

Contact staff writer Patti Magee at (760) 731-5797 or pmagee@nctimes.com.