West Kern Charter will again present the Educational Leadership Award at the annual end-of-the-year dinner on Thursday, June 8, 2017. The nomination form should be received no later than Wednesday, May 17, 2017. For questions or more information, contact Ruscel Reader by phone at 661-871-7158 or by email at ruscelreader@hotmail.com.
West Kern Educational Leadership Award Nomination Form
March 5, 2017 | Comments Off on West Kern Educational Leadership Award Nomination FormAmbassador Program helps new members navigate through all the wonderful things ACSA has to offer
February 22, 2017 | Comments Off on Ambassador Program helps new members navigate through all the wonderful things ACSA has to offerThe Ambassador Program helps new members navigate ACSA’s vast structure, while providing that first and very necessary human contact — giving the organization a face and a name. Region XI has seven Charter Ambassadors:
• Tulare Charter: Tom Giampietro and Robert Aguilar
• Kings Charter: Bill Black
• West Kern Charter: Terry Wolfe
• East Kern Charter: Elaine Janson and Beverly Thompson
• Inyo/Mono Charter: Don Clark
Starting in January, each Charter will hold a monthly raffle for new members. Winners of the $25 Gift Card in January are West Kern Charter’s Adan Robles, Assistant Principal in McFarland and Kings Charter’s Ed Larking, Corcoran Unified.
New administrators encouraged to take advantage of ACSA’s Mentor Program
February 22, 2017 | Comments Off on New administrators encouraged to take advantage of ACSA’s Mentor ProgramACSA’s Mentor Program is in its second full year of operation. The Mentor Program is one of the many professional development opportunities offered by ACSA, and, during the past year, our Regional Facilitators were responsible for establishing approximately 50 Mentor/Protége relationships. Feedback from participants has been very positive, and it is our hope that even more new administrators will take advantage of the program this year. We began with superintendents and have now moved on to include site administrators, especially principals, and district office staff. Basically, the program is open to all first and second year administrators that are new to their position.
Within the Association of California School Administrators, our goal is to improve the effectiveness of administrative leaders, thereby increasing the success of their students, and protecting the investment that is administrative personnel. District and school administrators are expected to be great leaders from the very beginning of their careers, but the framework to hone their leadership skills primarily occurs prior to their gaining practical experience. Mentoring is an excellent way to provide on-the-job, confidential, practical support for new administrators, and possibly the best aspect is that the service is absolutely FREE to ACSA members. Each and every time a district hires an administrator, the district is making a substantial investment. It simply makes sense to develop and protect that investment, and the Mentor Program is a great starting point.
You may wonder how ACSA can offer the Mentor Program at no additional cost to members or school districts. Thanks to the efforts of ACSA staff, we also have developed a budget with a funding source through our Legal Alliance which includes: Atkinson, Anderson, Loya, Rudy & Romo; Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP; Dannis, Woliver, Kelley; Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP; and Lozano Smith. Funds provided by these firms have provided the support for the development and maintenance of the program. We are extremely thankful to these legal firms for their on-going support.
For all ACSA members who have recently taken on a new position, it is very easy to sign up for the Mentor Program. Simply go to the ACSA website, click on Member Services, and then click on the Mentor Program. This link will take you directly to an application where you can sign up to be a mentor or a protége. It’s that simple, and, remember, it’s free! Upon completion of the application form, you will be contacted by your Regional Facilitator. Questions? Contact Regional Facilitator Mike Berg, 559-906-4100.
Kern County Board of Education names Dr. Mary Barlow new county superintendent of schools
February 10, 2017 | Comments Off on Kern County Board of Education names Dr. Mary Barlow new county superintendent of schools
The Kern County Board of Education has appointed Dr. Mary Barlow as Kern County Superintendent of Schools following the retirement of Dr. Christine Lizardi Frazier, whose last day was January 31, 2017. Barlow was sworn into office in January and will complete the remainder of Frazier’s term, which ends in 2018. The announcement was made during the Board’s December meeting, after Barlow received resounding support from a large cross section of the private sector, educational community and various partnering agencies.
“Dr. Barlow has proven herself as an extremely effective leader who is passionate about the services that KCSOS provides to students and in support of Kern’s local school districts. She is a champion for collaboration and the best person to lead KCSOS into the future,” said Donald Cowan, President of the Kern County Board of Education.
Dr. Barlow has spent the majority of her career in education, serving as a teacher, Director of Children and Family Services, and a district superintendent. During her tenure as Superintendent of the Kernville Union School District, she successfully modernized all district schools and constructed a new middle school while focusing on increasing student achievement. Under her leadership the district was named a California Distinguished School, Title 1 Academic Excellence District, and was recognized at the state level for its nutrition and wellness programs promoting student health.
Barlow joined the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) in 2009 as the Deputy Administrative Officer for the Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), an agency that provides fiscal intervention for school districts, county offices of education, charter schools and community colleges throughout California. In 2012, she was appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Administration, Finance & Accountability for KCSOS, leading the fiscal oversight and support for Kern’s 47 local school districts. Barlow was appointed Associate Superintendent of KCSOS in 2014, a role in which she has provided daily operational oversight of the county-run programs as well as the divisions that support 47 Kern County school districts serving more than 180,000 students.
Barlow attended Cerro Coso Community College at the Lake Isabella and Ridgecrest campuses before transferring as a junior to CSU Bakersfield where she earned her bachelor of arts in psychology in 1994. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Management and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of LaVerne.
Barlow serves the community in different capacities including the Association of California School Administrators, Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector Advisory Committee, the Kern County Emergency Management Care Advisory Board, the Rotary Club of Bakersfield (Downtown), and past Co-Chair of First Five Kern Commission. She is a proud founder of the Kern River Valley Collaborative, a network of county, private and nonprofit agencies dedicated to delivering direct medical, dental, and social services to Kern River Valley children and their families.
“I’m humbled to be given this opportunity to continue to uphold the Kern County office of education’s unwavering commitment to being advocates for children in our community, “Barlow said. “I look forward to continuing to support our districts as they implement outcomes-based Local Control and Accountability plans, expanding our partnerships with the private sector around innovative Career Technical Education and college / career pathways and moving the educational community forward in terms of innovation and technology in the classroom.”
Kings Charter’s fall conference a big hit
November 8, 2016 | Comments Off on Kings Charter’s fall conference a big hit Every school district in Kings County was represented at Kings Charter’s Conference at the Ballpark held at Lemoore High School on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Kings Charter President Darin Parson said approximately 170 administrators attended, breaking past records. Proceeds from the event will go towards scholarships.
Among sessions offered was one that focused on Transgender, which was presented by Liam Madrigal and his family, with the support of Lemoore High School Principal Rodney Brumit. Madrigal transitioned while a student at Lemoore High School. His mother worked closely with Principal Brumit and his staff to assure that Liam was, and felt, safe at school. Those who attended this workshop learned that transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth. With this experience being a first for all involved, everyone was learning as they went. Madrigal’s mother found valuable support and much-need advice from Kim Pearson of Trans Youth Family Allies (tyra.com). Pearson recommended that Madrigal’s mother not approach school officials in an aggressive manner. This proved to be one of the best pieces of advice she gave, allowing all parties to navigate this unknown territory cooperatively and come out on the other side with very positive feelings. Brumit said, “(it) changes how you operate as a school administrator.”
Other sessions offered include:
• 211 Kings County Community Resources
• ALICE – School Safety
• Employee Progressive Discipline / Effective Employee Evaluations
• ESSA
• Foster Youth
• School Finance / Pay to Play
• SPED Hot Topics
Round Table Co-Administrator
• 211 Kings County Community Resources
• ALICE – School Safety
• Employee Progressive Discipline / Effective Employee Evaluations
• ESSA
• Foster Youth
• School Finance / Pay to Play
• SPED Hot Topics
Round Table Co-Administrator
Following sessions, attendees enjoyed a baseball-themed dinner and drawings were held for prizes donated by vendors. Vendors included ACSA, AXA, Brandman University, Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU), FAST Credit Union, Garcia School Imaging & Sports Photography, Legal Shield, Office Depot and Sasser Specialities.
The event was co-sponsored by ACSA Kings Charter and FAST Federal Credit Union.
Bakersfield Principals Academy draws great interest
November 7, 2016 | Comments Off on Bakersfield Principals Academy draws great interestOn September 16, 36 principals and aspiring principals began the first session of a 70-hour, seven-weekend Principals Academy in Bakersfield. The widely popular academy, which has not been previously offered in Bakersfield, filled so quickly it required a waiting list. The enthusiasm for the academy encouraged co-directors Dr. Kevin Silberberg and Dr. Blanca Cavazos to increase the class size to accommodate demand.
The Principals Academy focuses on the leadership and management skills needed by administrators in order to be successful principals. The list of academy presenters reads like a “Who’s Who” of notable educators and practitioners from Region 11 and ACSA.
Region 11 President David Bowling and West Kern Charter President Richard Morosa attended the first session to congratulation participants on their decision to continue honing their administrative skills and encourage their membership and active participation in ACSA.
Co-directors Silberberg and Cavazos emphasized that each of the presenters had “walked the walk” and could share from first-hand experience how he or she had successfully put their skills into practice. “That was easy to create a list of presenters who were highly regarded in the profession because of their proven success with all children” said Cavazos. “On the flip side, the depth and quality of experience we have in our Region made it a difficult task to narrow the list of presenters.”
Terri Rufert running unopposed for State VP of Legislative Action
November 7, 2016 | Comments Off on Terri Rufert running unopposed for State VP of Legislative Action
The Region 11 contingent to the State Leadership Conference, recently held in Los Angeles, returned with great news. Terri Rufert’s nomination for State Board was accepted and she will be running for Vice President of Legislative Action unopposed. After the election in May, Rufert will be the first Region 11 representative to sit on the State ACSA Board.
Following is her position paper:
“The work required of the Vice President of Legislative Action is an area that I am passionate about. Whether it is state and federal legislators, Superintendent Torlakson, the State Board of Education or the Governor, I have helped lead our regional and state work to gain support of our positions for 16 years.
I bring the skills and experience of being Vice President of Legislative Action for my region for four years, as well as one year on the Legislative Policy Committee, and two years on the ACSA State Board. Currently, I am the Region XI representative on the ACSA Small Schools Committee, in my second year on ACSA’s State Board Advisory Group, and a member ACSA’s Women’s Network Group. I am extremely committed to promoting ACSA as the leading advocate for our state’s 6.2 million students. On many occasions I have been asked to speak on behalf of ACSA, students, and administrators at state hearings because I’m a trusted leader who understands the nuances of issues, from budget to curriculum and student services to principals.
As State Vice President of Legislative Action, I believe it is important to support and encourage each region’s Vice President of Legislative Action in the work they to do back home. We all need to empower other administrators to be part of the "One Voice for Students." It is absolutely crucial for us to make sure our voices are heard and our communities represented. Together let’s continue to make a difference. I would appreciate your vote.”
John Snavely presented with Itzenhauser/Schlagel Award
August 5, 2016 | Comments Off on John Snavely presented with Itzenhauser/Schlagel Award
Dick Schlagel and David Itzenhauser (right) present the Itzenhauser/Schlagel Award to John Snavely (left), retiring Superintendent, Porterville Unified School District. The award provides a lifetime membership in the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).
John Snavely, retired Superintendent of Porterville Unified School (PUSD), has been presented with the Itzenhauser/Schlagel Award by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region XI, which represents Tulare, Kings, Kern, Inyo and Mono counties. The award provides a lifetime membership in ACSA.
Snavely has had many accomplishments throughout his 35 years in education. As Superintendent of PUSD, he has overseen the development of some of PUSD’s most notable programs, including the construction of several facilities, championing the development of the district’s dual immersion program, a NASA-sponsored middle school academy, an increase in the number of Student Pathway Academies, and the development of the National Academy Foundation School of Engineering at Harmony Magnet Academy. His hard work and efforts were recognized in 2014 when he was selected as the Tulare County Excellence in Education Administrator of the Year and by ConnectEd as the Linked Learning State Educator Champion.
Snavely has represented ACSA Region XI on the state level in several capacities, including a three-year term on the State Board of Directors, a three-year term on the State Superintendency Council and is currently completing a 2-year term on the State ACSA Career Technical Council. He is also very active in participating in ACSA’s Annual Legislative Action Day held in Sacramento.
As Superintendent, Snavely has been passionate about visiting classrooms in PUSD. He made a point of visiting all 600 classrooms … twice a year.
Tulare County Office Of Education / ACSA Summer Institute
August 5, 2016 | Comments Off on Tulare County Office Of Education / ACSA Summer Institute
Keynote Speaker Joel Zeff and Bob Mayo, Principal, Exeter Unified High School, during an improve exercise at the 2016 Tulare County Summer Institute.
The force was with the Association of California School Administrations (ACSA) and the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) as they presented the very successful 2016 Tulare County Summer Institute, Wednesday, June 15 at the SCE Energy Education Center in Tulare. With an all-time high of nearly 300 Tulare County school administrators in attendance, the group enjoyed an inspirational day which included Keynote Speaker Joel Zeff, informational breakout sessions, entertainment by the TCOE Theatre Company, and award presentations.
Zeff, workplace expert and author of “Make the Right Choice,” energized the group with a unique blend of hilarious improvisational comedy and essential ideas on work and life. With the help of audience “volunteers,” he delivered a combination of inspiration, essential knowledge and significant ideas to help the leaders reconnect with their own passion and success.
They do a great job in bringing everybody together and every
year they do a great job of bringing in a great speaker to entertain us.
– George Eddy, Director of CTE, Exeter Unified
Dick Schlagel, retiring after 29 years serving as ACSA Newsletter Editor, was recognized and honored. He and David Itzenhauser, long-time fellow educator and charter member of ACSA, presented the Itzenhauser/Schlagel Award to John Snavely, retiring Porterville Unified School District Superintendent, for lifetime achievement.
Gabriela Santillan, 2016 graduate of Mt. Whitney High School, was presented with the Every Student Succeeding Award. She will also be honored at the 2016 ACSA Leadership Summit in San Diego in November.
ACSA Tulare Charter Student Scholarship Awards were presented to:
- Kelcey Carrasco, Tulare Western High School, Tulare
- Sydney Garcia, Harmony Magnet Academy, Strathmore
- Noah Kroutil, Porterville High School, Porterville
- Breanne Perez, Redwood High School, Visalia
- Haley Spencer, Tulare Union High School, Tulare
- Bradley Taylor, Central Valley Christian High School, Visalia
- Kameron Trevino, Redwood High School, Visalia
Carrasco, Garcia, Kroutil, Perez and Trevino also received a scholarship from ACSA Region XI.
ACSA Tulare Charter Administrator of the Year Awards were presented to:
- Professor of Education: Miguel Guerrero, Ed. D., Professor of Education, Brandman University
- Continuation/Ed. Options Admin.: Victoria Porter, Principal, VTEC High School, Visalia Unified School District
- Curriculum & Instruction Admin.: Tanya Goosev, Asst. Superintendent Curriculum & Program Improvement, Cutler-Orosi Jt. Unified School District
- Business Services Administrator: Nathan Hernandez, Chief Financial Officer, Business Services, Visalia Unified School District
- Superintendent/Principal: Jeremy Powell, Ed. D., Superintendent/Principal, Sequoia Union School District
- Special Ed. Administrator: Joyce Nunes, Asst. Superintendent Business/Psychological Services, Tulare City School District
- Career Technical Ad. Administrator: Bill Edminster, Director, Tulare Adult School, Tulare Jt. Union High School District
- Confidential Employee: Alice Galvan, Administrative Secretary, Administrative Services, Cutler-Orosi Jr. Unified School District
- Secondary Co-Administrator: Joy Naylor, Assistant Principal, El Diamante High School, Visalia Unified School District
- Central Office Administrator: Lisa Castillo, Director College and Career Readiness, Cutler-Orosi Jt. Unified School District
- Elementary School Principal: Whitney Avila, Principal, Frank Kohn Elementary School, Tulare City School District
- Middle School Principal: Angel Valdez, Principal, Pioneer Middle School, Porterville Unified School District
- Secondary Principal: Rick Hamilton, Principal, Mt. Whitney High School, Visalia Unified School District
- Superintendent: Tim Hire, Superintendent, Exeter Unified School District
- Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence: Frank Chavez, Retired Superintendent/Principal Richgrove School District
Guerrero, Hernandez, Edminster, Naylor, Castillo, Valdez, Hire and Chavez were also honored on the region level; Edminster achieved state recognition, as well.
Region 11 President David Bowling leads Planning Retreat
August 5, 2016 | Comments Off on Region 11 President David Bowling leads Planning RetreatNew Region 11 President David Bowling led region leaders through the Planning Retreat for 2016-2017, June 13 and 14, at The Padre Hotel in Bakersfield.
Monday’s session began with a meeting of the Charter Presidents, who were joined after lunch by the Executive Board members. Lunch was sponsored by Foresters Financial Services. That evening family, friends and colleagues gathered to honor Dick Schlagel, retiring Region 11 Newsletter Editor.
Tuesday’s meeting kicked off with an activity which gave the group an opportunity to get to know each other a little bit better. Special guest KCSOS Associate Superintendent Dr. Mary Barlow welcomed members to the retreat, and the group was honored to hear from Dr. Ralph Porras, State ACSA President, who shared his vision for the next year.
Lunch was sponsored by VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc.
Along with other business, Bowling led the group through an exercise designed to establish the region’s goals for 2016-2017. A draft of those goals was created and will receive final approval at the next board meeting, Sept. 1.
Thoughts from Region 11 President David Bowling
Region 11 has great momentum locally and across the State of California due to the fine leadership of my predecessors. Planning for the coming school year was critical to keep the region moving forward in a unified direction; the Region retreat provided the time to do just that. Charter and Region leaders came together to brain-storm goals that will push our organization even further toward aggressively marketing our organization and gaining influence in the State. Charters are now asked to pick up that torch and create their own goals to move us forward inclusively so that all members are informed and engaged with the organization.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a “retreat” if we didn’t have some team building and fellowship. Saying goodbye to Dick Schlagel as he retires as the Region 11 newsletter editor was bitter-sweet, and nearly 70 people showed up at The Padre Hotel in Bakersfield to roast him and wish him well. On Tuesday, Region board members shared moving personal stories of their most memorable experiences in our profession, and a few personal secrets were dusted off as well!I look forward to the coming instructional year in humble service to Region XI as well as our supporting charter members. I encourage any member that hasn’t been to a charter meeting in a while to stop in to see the progressive changes going on in our organization. Opportunities for meaningful involvement at the Charter, Region, and State level present themselves regularly, and we encourage all members to join our efforts in supporting positive changes at all levels of government to promote the betterment of the students and families we serve.
Richard “Dick” Schlagel honored after 29 years of service to Region 11
Three charter members of ACSA at Dick Schlagel’s retirement party. Left to right: David Itzenhauser, Dick Schlagel and Don Erwin.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered Monday evening, June 13, at The Padre Hotel in Bakersfield to honor Richard “Dick” Schlagel, who is retiring as the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region XI’s Newsletter Editor.
Schlagel joined ACSA as a charter member in 1971 and became a life member after retiring. He served as Region XI President in 1981-1982 and also held a 3-year term on the State Junior High Committee and the Retirement Committee.
He became the Newsletter Editor in 1987. His goal as editor was to keep the membership informed of various events and activities of both the Region and the five local Chapters. He also wanted to use this vehicle to recognize scores of outstanding administrators on what they are doing across our vast five-county area. Schlagel has accomplished this and much more. His dedication to education and ACSA is remarkable.
“Being responsible for the publication of 116 newsletters and 29 handbooks has presented a number of challenges; however, more importantly it has provided me a variety of wonderful opportunities for making life-long friendships with scores of school administrators across our vast Region XI and its five local Charters. I am so grateful and appreciative to have been given this remarkable and rewarding assignment.” – Richard “Dick” Schlagel
During the evening, memories and expressions of gratitude and respect were shared.
Craig Wheaton, who admitted that Schlagel has been retired almost as long as he’s been in education said, “I’ve always known I can depend on him. He’s been there constantly and is a great advocate for what we’re doing as administrators.”
Bill Black talked a bit about the dynamic duo of Dick Schlagel and David Itzenhauser, fondly likening them to Batman and Robin. He said, “Emerson said the greatest gift is a portion of yourself and he’s (Dick’s) given everything …”
A family friend share an amusing story about when Schlagel was a principal without a secretary. She volunteered to fill the void, but said Schlagel was very hard on her, criticizing at every turn. Schlagel chimed in with, “worst secretary I’ve ever had!”
David Tonini expressed the fact that Schlagel is truly an inspiration to him … that he always wants to be on fire like him.
When Schlagel took the mic, he expressed his heartfelt appreciation for having the opportunity to serve this organization that he holds in such high esteem. Then, in the spirit of the upcoming Olympics, he passed his leftover supplies to Tonini – a few paper clips, a used yellow pad, Scotch tape “not too much,” a pair of scissors and his camera, which has been duct taped together, along with the remaining duct tape. He handed off the baton – a newsletter rolled up with rubber bands – to Kathy Forsythe, incoming Director of Communications. Both attempted a running hand-off, but lack of space and the inability to run very fast prevented a glorious showing.
While Schlagel has completed 65 years in the education profession, he’s not done yet. He has a few more projects on the horizon including writing two more books and continuing to team up with with Bob Pugh, one of his former teachers and very close friend in presenting the All-American Student Classic to students in grades 5-8.