Bill’s Blog

Once again, the combined regions of 12 and XIX held our yearly leadership conferenc at the Hilton Hotel in Palm Springs.  This event is held to familiarize returning and incoming region leaders at the region, charter and commiteee/council levels with procedures, protocol, and people. We also have lots of fun!

You can see ALL the pictures by clicking on this Dropbox link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yogo2gg136c3wcl/AABeBWIKUyMKJgbF2KulROLfa?dl=0

Here are some visual highlights: 

Incoming region presidents welcome all at the kick-off meeting. (Left: Grant Bennett, XIX. Right: Sandra Rodriguez, 12.)

State ACSA incoming president Dr. Holly Edds (at lectern) introduces outgoing region 12 and XIX presidents respectively (Dr. Cindie Mederios at left, Diane Perez at right) who initiate an icebreaker activity.

Outgoing Region 12 president Dr. Cindie Mederios showers her old board with gifts for their loyal service on Sunday morning.

Dr. Edds installs officers of both region boards.

Judy White, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, discusses “Leadership in Action.”

Candace Singh, superintendent of the Fallbrook USD, leads the keynote address.

Ted Alejandre, County Superintendent of Schools for San Bernardino, shares his own ideas on Leadership in Action.

Region 12 incoming president Sandra Rodriguez gesticulates emphatically as she shares the weekend’s program.

Membes of both regions fill the room as they follow the agenda on their devices or hard copies.

Casino night Saturday was a huge hit. Here, administrators lose their region shirts.

More members try their luck with the “casino” funny money.

Outgoing Region 12 president Dr. Cindie Mederios showers her old board with gifts for their loyal service on Sunday morning.

The WLN, under the guidance of Dr. Mary McNeil (Superintendent of Needles USD and chair of the Small School District ACSA Committee), held its second event on May 14, 2018 at the El Pescador Restaurant in Victorville. The topic for this evening was “Understanding Balance, Pathways and Opportunities.”

Attendees at the Spring WLN are pictured here. Yes, men are also invited and sometimes attend!

See the flyer here: “WLN Conference Program Spring Flyer 2018

Dr. Higbee presents on the importance of networking as MDMA President Carlos Cerna and MDMA President-Elect Dr. Benisha Carr look on.

The crowd assembles for a group shot.

Dr. Ron Williams, Superintendent of VVUHSD and a member of MDMA, discusses his campaign for State ACSA VP (which he subsequently won!).

Dr. Medieros administers the solemn oath of office to incoming MDMA Board members.

Dr. Cindie Medeiros, Region 12 president, makes opening remarks.

MDMA Charter president Carlos Cerna greets the crowd.

Sherman Garnett pontificates on the benefits of State ACSA membership.

The board installation from a different perspective.

The MDMA charter of Region 12 held a great social event on May 7 at their favorite hangout, the El Pescador in Victorville, on May 7. See the invitation flyer here: MDMA social flyer

Region 12’s president, Dr. Cindie Medeiros, delivered opening remarks along with MDMA president Carlos Cerna. New officers for 2018-19 for MDMA were installed by Dr. Medeiros. Sherman Garnett, State ACSA Membership Recruitment Team member, spoke of the benefits of ACSA. Dr. Beth Higbee delivered a talk on “The Importance of Building Your Professional Network.”

The El Pescador venue is one of Victorville’s jewels and was very accomodating. 

Region Leadership Assemblies are held several times per year, and are attended by region and charter-level leaders who represent the interests of our entire membership of approximately 1250 administrators and student members. Our April 30 meeting highlight was a special presentation by Laura Preston, who flew from Sacramento just for us. See Laura’s bio here: Laura Preston bio

You may also see the agenda for this meeting here: leadership assembly region agenda April 30 2018

And the Minutes here: Minutes 4 30 18 LA

Laura Preston

The SAC charter was honored to receive Mr. Craig Baker, Child Welfare & Attendance Director for Fontana USD, at its mini-conference held at the Azusa Pacific University San Bernardino Campus on April 25, 2018. Mr. Baker is also this year’s Region 12 Pupil Personnel Administrator of the Year.

Much has changed in recent years in regards to Education Codes and other laws and policies on the books in regards to student discipline. Administrators walk a finer line when it comes to suspensions, expulsions, and “Other Means of Correction.” Mr. Baker pulled no punches in outlining specific and commons school site situations and how they should now be handled.

This event was also attended by Dr. Ron Williams, Superintendent of VVUHSD, who is currently a candidate for State ACSA V.P.

The SAC charter is comprised mostly of teachers who are itching to join administrative ranks where they wi

ll surely face these issues daily. Thank you Mr. Baker for your keen insights!

Craig Baker, CWA Director for Fontana USD, briefs SAC members on the latest regulations regarding student discipline.

Dr. Ron Williams, Superintendent of Victor Valley Union HSD, attended and spoke of his candidacy for State ACSA VP and the importance of ACSA to SAC members.

Erika “The Strolling Jones” belted out American and European standbys on her squeezebox during the social hour.

This year’s awards dinner was held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Ontario. The following were recipients of administrative awards:
Carl Hampton Adult Education Chino Valley USD Principal
Ajay Mohindra Business Leader Adelanto ESD CBO
McKenzie Tarango Career Technical VVUHSD Coordinator
Dr. Norman Enfield Central Office Chino Valley USD Deputy Superintendent
DeShawn Dickinson Classified Leader VVUHSD Director
Xenia Lovett Confidential Employee Adelanto ESD Executive Assistant to Superintendent
Ed Hensley Continuation/Ed Options SBCUSD Principal
Darrel Nickolaisen Curriculum & Instruction Hesperia USD Director
Robert Madrigal Elementary Co-Administrator SBCUSD Vice-Principal
Tom Mackessy Elementary Principal Chino Valley USD Principal
Linda Fabre HR Administrator SBCSS Assistant Superintendent, HR
Carlos Cerna Middle Grades Principal VVUHSD Principal
Craig Baker Pupil Personnel Fontana USD Director, CWA
Dr. Dan Cooper Retired Administrator Fontana USD, retired retired
Faysel Bell Secondary Co-Administrator Hesperia USD Assistant Principal
James Espinosa Secondary Principal SBCUSD Principal
Richard Frederick Special Education “SBCSS/Mountain-Desert Area” Area Director
Dr. Mary McNeil Superintendent Needles USD Superintendent
Dr. Audrey Hovannesian Technology VVUHSD Director
Francesca Sparks-Copeland Valuing Diversity VVUHSD Coordinator
“Footsteps2Brilliance” Literacy Partnership Program” “Partners in Educational Excellence” SBCSS

Additionally, our Every Student Succeeding recipient was Jessica Corona,VVUHSD student.

Three high school scholarships were given to children/grandchildren of ACSA Region 12 members as follows:

Thandiwe Bush (member: Dr. Tonia Causey-Bush)

Antonette Hensley (member: Edward Hensley)

Sara Sosa (member: Julie Prestsater)

To see all photos taken by Region Consultant Bill Olinger from this event (that are fit to print) click on this Dropbox link:   https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f1qrjibv1pkxkhq/AADYmkTi8tqUIrGZaICkBMZJa?dl=0

Recipients and presenters gather on-stage at the conclusion of festivities.

SBCUSD’s Arroyo Valley String Quartet (minus one)– led by Jeffrey Habell, Director–showcased their talents at the beginning of the program.

Superintendent of the Year Dr. Mary McNeil (Needles USD) receives her award from County Superintendent Ted Alejandre and outgoing region president Dr. Cindie Mederios.

Attendance was good at about 250 this evening.

Our Every Student Succeeding student, Jessica Corona, receives her scholarship from Ted Alejandre, Dr. Cindie Medeiros, and Kim Cavanagh.

Fans of the various recipients expressed their admiration as their respective honorees took the stage.

Thandiwe Bush is one of our three high school scholarships recipients.

Antonette Hensley is scholar number two.

Sara Sosa is our third High School Scholar.

The Management Association of Colton (MAC) heard State ACSA Senior Director of Communications Naj Alikhan speak on April 17, 2018 to enhance their understanding of handling crises, the media and families during severe school events. Mr. Alikhan covered specific topics as follows:

• The three pillars of communication
• Why clarity is your best friend
• How to confront a crisis
• The use of social media to build a school district’s brand.

Once again this year, leaders from throughout state ACSA convened on the capitol building in Sacramento to petition lawmakers to consider our viewpoints. This year, there were two major thrusts:

1) Extending the teacher probationary period an additional year, from two to three;

2) Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) & AB 2808.

Region 12 had about 23 region board members and charter VPLAs attend from Sunday April 15 to Monday April 16. Training sessions were held, general meetings convened, and then it was off to the Capitol. The pictures below summarize this paparazzo’s walkaround on the heels of our members. For additional details regarding the specific issues and talking points, click here: LAD 2018 issues

Here is but a small portion of the crowd at a general session, where we honored our VPLAs and conferred ACSA awards on deserving “Friends of Education.”

Our own Region 12 group met privately prior to visits. We were briefed by State ACSA’s Legislative Advocate, Laura Preston (center far end of table).

Region 12 members confer with Assemblymember Marc Steinorth (R-40) in his offices. The Assemblymember is at the far right. Our team found him most affable.

VPLAs statewide were also recognized by Terri Rufert, State ACSA VPLA. Our own Dana Carter can be seen in back center if you look closely.

Here’s a typical scene during LAD: ACSA reps conferring just in the hallways just prior to entering a legislator’s office.

Another Region 12 team met with Teresa Trujillo (far fight), Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Jay Obernolte (R-33).

More hallway preparations!

CHAMPers held a conference on March 6 which introduced attendees to Restorative Justice Practices.  Our speakers were Marissa Lazo-Necco and Charles Neighbours.  The event was put on by Chino Valley Unified School District’s ACSA charter CHAMP in order to support administrators in addressing how to improve school climate. This event was an effort to support the District’s PBIS initiative. The speakers were engaging, informative and passionate about delivering the message that changes in practice will lead to changed outcomes which leads to a changed mindset.

-Yvette Farley, CHAMP President.