CSBA is encouraged to see gains made across student groups on the 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and acknowledges the bright spots in districts across the state. But the challenge is scaling pockets of excellence into widespread proficiency. Overall progress and a slight closure of the achievement gap are hopeful signs, but incremental gains of a point or two is far short of what’s needed to address persistent and significant achievement gaps.
As the 2026 elections approach, CSBA will focus the attention of those vying to be the next Governor and the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) on the issues that matter most to school governance teams.
Staff
Troy Flint | tflint@csba.org
Editorial Director:
Kimberly Sellery | ksellery@csba.org
Staff Writers and Contributors:
Alisha Kirby | akirby@csba.org
Heather Kemp | hkemp@csba.org
Chris Reefe | creefe@csba.org
Kristin Lindgren-Bruzzone | klindgren-bruzzone@csba.org
Marketing & Communications Director:
Monica Griffis | mgriffis@csba.org
Graphic Design & Branding Director:
Kerry Macklin | kmacklin@csba.org
Graphic Designers:
Thairah Singharath | tsingharath@csba.org
Amanda Moen | amoen@csba.org
Dr. Bettye Lusk | Monterey Peninsula USD
President-elect:
Dr. Debra Schade | Solana Beach SD
Vice President:
Sabrena Rodriguez | Ventura USD
Immediate Past President:
Albert Gonzalez | Santa Clara USD
CEO & Executive Director:
Vernon M. Billy
News and feature items submitted for publication are edited for style and space as necessary.
President’s Message: Bettye Lusk
When looking at trends in district staff spending, student-teacher ratios, and teacher credentials and experience, researchers found that math and science courses are especially less likely to be headed by correctly assigned and credentialed teachers. About 10 percent of secondary school students attend schools where at least 50 percent of math or at least 59 percent of science teachers are incorrectly assigned and credentialed to teach the course.
Second round nominations closed on Oct. 20, and there were two additional candidates nominated for the Office of Vice President. The second-round candidacy packets were deemed complete, and the following candidates are eligible for candidacy. Office of Vice President: Roger Snyder, Scotts Valley USD, and Jackie Wong, Washington USD.
The report, released on Sept. 16, notes that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated longstanding challenges while simultaneously creating new ones. Chronic absenteeism spiked to unprecedented levels, assessments highlighted growing achievement gaps, and mental health challenges among students and educators intensified. These impacts were particularly severe in high-poverty schools and among historically marginalized student groups, according to the report. However, researchers said that community schools offer a comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges.
The state-funded initiative was led by the Humboldt and San Diego county offices of education in partnership with respected California Native American scholars and many collaborators who weighed in throughout the development process. The free, web-based curriculum includes 150 lessons for grades TK-5, 100 lessons for grades 6-8 and 164 lessons for high school with corresponding teaching strategies and professional development resources.
CSBA’s Delegate Assembly is a vital link in the association’s governance structure. Working with local districts, county offices of education, the Board of Directors and officers, Delegates ensure that the association reflects the interests of school districts and county offices of education. In addition, they elect CSBA’s officers and Board of Directors, adopt the Policy Platform and the Bylaws, serve on committees and provide advocacy on behalf of public education and boards of education.
One caring adult — whether it be a teacher, another local educational agency staffer, administrator, bus driver or other classified staff — can be a tremendous force in the academic and emotional life of a struggling student. Using this knowledge, governance teams should be intentional about ensuring those meaningful and memorable — and sometimes even life-saving — staff-student connections take place. Every student is one caring adult away from being a success story.
- Maria Gomez, Delegate, Region 16 (Hesperia USD) (chair)
- Nicole Glentzer, Superintendent, Region 1 (Mendocino COE)
- Terry Ruiz, Delegate, Region 10 (Washington USD)
- Stacy Nicola, Board member, Region 18 (Corona-Norco USD)
- Lisa Torres, Delegate, Region 4 (Oroville City ESD)
- Robin Jankiewicz, Director, Region 3 (Napa Valley USD)
- Cherise Moore, Delegate, Region 22 (William S Hart Union HSD)
- Anna Trunnell, Superintendent, Region 6 (Galt Joint Union USD)
- Christina Cameron-Otero, Director-at-Large, American Indian (Needles USD)
- Moises Aguirre, Superintendent, Region 17 (Sweetwater Union HSD)
- Chelsea Bonini, Delegate, Region 5 (San Mateo COE)
- Greg Larson, Board member, Region 9 (Santa Cruz COE)
- Rhea Stewart, Delegate, Region 17 (Cardiff ESD)
- Eileen Miranda Jimenez, Delegate, Region 23 (West Covina USD)
November is Family Engagement Month and the California Family and Community Engagement Initiative (CA FACE Initiative) has resources to assist local educational agencies in building connections with students and their loved ones year-round.
CSBA’s new report, How California’s County Offices of Education Can Advance Workforce Housing for Educators, outlines how county offices of education can assist districts in developing affordable housing for their employees. Released in September in partnership with UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities + Schools and UCLA’s cityLAB, the paper noted that, with their regional reach and expertise, COEs can play a crucial role in making workforce housing a reality for more districts in communities throughout the state.
Attention: For more information about events, visit www.csba.org/TrainingAndEvents.
