Hollister
– State Senator Jeff Denham was recently honored by the
California County Boards of Education as the Outstanding Legislator
of the Year for 2006.
Hollister – State Senator Jeff Denham was recently honored by the California County Boards of Education as the Outstanding Legislator of the Year for 2006.
Denham, who represents San Benito County and the Central Valley and Central Coast regions, was chosen by the California boards for his legislative support of public education.
“I’m very happy that Jeff is being recognized. He is consistently an educational supporter,” San Benito County Office of Education Superintendent Tim Foley said.
Denham said he felt honored to receive the award, especially because he is a strong advocate for education and educational funding.
“It’s just a huge honor. This has always been my No. 1 issue both in my campaigns and in office,” Denham said.
Denham said he consistently opposes budget cuts to education, and focuses on making sure smaller schools receive funding.
“In San Benito County there are some very unique schools. We’ve got some larger schools and then we’ve got some very small schools in very remote areas. I continue to fight so that even our smallest schools receive adequate funding,” he said.
Foley said Denham had supported the county in the past and had been open to hearing the input from Foley and other county superintendents.
“He is one of the only people I know that’s gotten the support of the teachers’ union and the administrators, and that’s quite a balancing act,” Foley said.
Denham said he had plans to continue to support educational funding for San Benito schools from Sacramento.
“(Education) needs to continue to be our No. 1 issue,” Denham said. “Our children are our future, and we need to continue to focus our money in the classroom.”
