Message from 2023 CCBE President Gina Cuclis

A new year brings new focus to CCBE

County board of education trustees are in an elected office unlike any other. Yet, little has been written about county boards of education and, as a consequence, few resources exist to help county trustees fulfill their roles.

That is where the California County Boards of Education (CCBE) steps in. Starting in late 2021, CCBE formed a governance initiative committee with the goal of empowering county board members with tools and information to lean into their unique governance and leadership roles. A major result of this initiative is The Trustee Handbook: A Guide to Shared Governance for County Boards of Education. First released Dec. 2 at the CCBE General Membership Breakfast in San Diego, the handbook is intended to assist California’s 341 county board of education members as they seek to contribute to the education of California’s public school students.

Developed with the input of county superintendents, education law experts including CSBA’s Legal Department, and experienced county board members, the handbook provides county trustees with:

1. An understanding of the purpose of the county office of education.
2. Guidance on the authority of county board members and the county board.
3. Insight into the roles and responsibilities of the county board in connection with governance of the county office of education, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the county superintendent.
4. Guidance on how a county board can best fulfill its roles and meet its responsibilities in collaboration with the county superintendent.

In addition, CCBE will be using the handbook as a guide to develop a series of trainings for our members. We have conducted a survey to assess our members’ training needs. Stay tuned for more information about the trainings in the year ahead.

In the meantime, I encourage CCBE members to attend the Governance Workshop for new and continuing county board members from March 10-11 in Sacramento at the Embassy Suites. Not only is it an excellent opportunity to grow one’s knowledge and abilities, but it’s a fun opportunity to network with other county board trustees. Find more information at www.theccbe.org.

Another major project the CCBE Board of Directors launched last year is the organization’s first-ever long-range (2022–27) strategic plan. It’s a dynamic set of objectives based on four pillars — Sustainability, Training and Toolkits, Engagement and Activation, and Policy Advocacy — or STEP. The CCBE Executive Committee, and all CCBE committees, align our work with the four pillars.

CCBE leadership is committed to continually working to build an organization that meets the unique needs of county board members. As the CCBE president, I serve because I believe in the collective power of county boards of education members; that when we come together with shared vision and shared values, we can have a positive impact on the lives of California’s public school students.