Education Bulletin

SCCOE allocates more than $2 million for under-served students

The Santa Clara County Office of Education's (SCCOE) newly-ratified budget for the 2015-16 academic year includes more than $2 million for new and growing programs geared toward narrowing the achievement gap and ensuring that traditionally under-served students have access to world-class educational opportunities.

"I am tremendously excited about our plans for the coming year," said County Superintendent of Schools Jon R. Gundry. "With the help of our valuable community partners, the SCCOE is looking forward to providing more services for students from all walks of life, from preschool to high school and beyond."

One particularly exciting new venture is The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley's "Family College Success Center," in which the SCCOE has invested $100,000 for its first year of operation at James Lick High School. While 29 percent of the Silicon Valley's population is Latino, only 3 percent of the community's high tech workforce identifies as such; the Family College Success Center is designed to change this dynamic through academic support, mentoring and workshops for students and families.

"The Family College Success Center will be a 'one-start-shop' for college-aspiring students and their parents to obtain college information and guidance to attend and graduate from college," said Ron Gonzales, President and CEO of the Hispanic Foundation. "We are thrilled that the County Board of Education has decided to join this new and creative partnership."

Officials from the SCCOE and Hispanic Foundation celebrated the partnership with a check presentation ceremony Tuesday morning.

"Every child deserves a chance to succeed, and it is our obligation as leaders to ensure that those opportunities are nurtured and supported," said Darcie Green, President of the Santa Clara County Board of Education. "The Family College Success Center opens the door to a brighter future for Latino students and their families."

Two more of the SCCOE's biggest initiatives include Educare of California at Silicon Valley, a state-of-theart early learning center that will serve 160 low-income students and families when it opens its doors in August, and Opportunity Youth Academy, a WASC-accredited school also opening this fall for young men and women seeking to finish their high school education and create a customized path to college or the workforce. Other SCCOE programs take on the achievement gap from a wide range of tactics and perspective, including professional development opportunities for teachers in high-need classrooms; academic programs to encourage young black and Latino students to pursue science, tech and math careers; a host of events through President Obama's "My Brother's Keeper" initiative; and an $89,000 investment in technology for migrant students in six counties.

Details about the 2015-16 budget can be found on the SCCOE website. A video from the check presentation ceremony can be viewed on the SCCOE website.

Board honors Head Start program and staff for 50 years of excellence

Here's a summary of actions taken by the Board at its June 15 meeting:

Celebrated the 50th anniversary of the national Head Start program; and
heard a report on the Santa Clara County Office of Education's commitment to Educare operations.

The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the SCCOE. Its seven members serve four-year terms and are elected by different regions of the county. Learn more about the members, and view their meeting schedule, agendas and minutes.

Since 1852, the Santa Clara County Office of Education has provided vital services and resources to the county's 31 K-12 public school districts and more than 250,000 students. The SCCOE strives to provide advocacy and leadership on education issues, student programs that are models of excellence and indispensable services to schools and community partners. The SCCOE is committed to serving, inspiring and promoting student and public school success.

In This Issue

SCCOE focuses resources on closing the achievement gap

Board actions in July

Leadership changes at SCCOE enhance coordination of services

2015 Santa Clara County Teachers of the Year announced

Superintendent announces leadership changes at the SCCOE

Superintendent of Schools Jon R. Gundry announced today several leadership changes at the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE). These staffing moves will enhance interdepartmental collaboration, communication, and integration of services heading into the new fiscal year.

Dr. Mary Ann Dewan is now serving as Deputy Superintendent, effective July 1. Dr. Dewan served as Chief Schools Officer since October 2013. She also served as interim superintendent of schools from April through July 2014.

"We're very fortunate to bring Dr. Dewan's incredible knowledge and experience to the position of Deputy Superintendent," said Gundry. "She has been a great asset to this organization as Chief Schools Officer, and I look forward to our continued work together to bring exemplary programs and services to our students, schools, and districts."

In addition, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Angelica Ramsey is being elevated to Associate Superintendent with additional liaison responsibilities to districts and oversight of the Office of Innovative Schools, which includes charter schools.

General Counsel Maribel Medina and Chief Business Officer Micaela Ochoa will be leaving the SCCOE to pursue other professional opportunities. By July 20, Mark Skvarna will begin serving as Interim Chief Business Officer with responsibilities of all business functions. Skvarna has been consulting with the SCCOE as part of a thorough review of the department. He brings a wealth of expertise, having served 13 years as the superintendent of Baldwin Park Unified School District. He is a former deputy superintendent of business services and has served in various other school-business roles as part of his more than 25 years of experience in K-12 education.

"These changes will further position the SCCOE to provide well-coordinated, integrated, and supportive services to our school districts and community," said Gundry. "We look forward to this new dynamic structure, which I have every confidence will carry us into the new school year with positive momentum."

2015 Teachers of the Year and Texas Instruments STEM Teachers of the Year announced

The Santa Clara County Office of Education is proud to announce Santa Clara County's 2015 Teachers of the Year, along with the recipients of the 2015 Texas Instruments STEM Teaching Awards.

These accomplished educators will be recognized at the 46th annual Teacher Recognition Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell. Presented by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the recognition ceremony is the oldest and largest of its kind in California.

The list of teacher honorees from Santa Clara County's 31 school districts can be viewed on the SCCOE website.

The annual Teacher Recognition Celebration is co-sponsored by Texas Instruments and the Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union, with support from the San Jose Mercury News. Visit the Teacher Recognition Celebration website to learn more about the event's history, view videos and photographs of previous ceremonies, and get to know past teacher honorees.