Post is key to school solvency
The San Benito County Office of Education has a staff of 70
employees; more than some school districts. The total cumulative
educational budget is some $70 million, roughly as large as the
county’s general budget.
Post is key to school solvency
The San Benito County Office of Education has a staff of 70 employees; more than some school districts. The total cumulative educational budget is some $70 million, roughly as large as the county’s general budget.
The position of county superintendent of schools is responsible for 11 different school districts including two of the smallest districts in the state – Jefferson and Panoche – which consist of one-room schoolhouses.
The term of office is four years and the annual salary paid to the county superintendent is $129,753 and comes with the additional perk of use of one of the county’s cars.
The superintendent evaluates programs at all county public schools provides payroll and credentialing assistance, verifies all the audits for local districts and operates several schools of its own – Pinnacles School, San Andreas Continuation High School, Santa Ana Opportunity School and the school at the Juvenile Detention Center. The district even operates a mobile preschool for families in the remotest areas of San Benito County. Other programs are aimed at parent education.
The candidates answered questions about their experience and ideas in interviews this week.
Dee Brown
Career highlights/professional accomplishments: Brown currently works as a real estate agent and has an extensive background in education, including 15 years of service in a county office of education. She has a PhD with emphasis in curriculum, instruction, and administration; masters in teaching; she is currently adjunct faculty at Chapman University, Monterey center. She is a trustee with the Hollister School District and has been a principal both in that district and at Pajaro Valley Unified.
Reason for running: Brown said that she decided to run because while she’s been a part of the Hollister School District Board of Trustees for the past eight years, she’s only one of five voting members. She cannot effect change quickly. As a county superintendent she would have more ability to lead.
Anything not being done today that the Office of Education needs to address: Brown said that the office needs more of a public face. She said there are talented people within the department. She said that it would be her goal to be an intermediary between the county and the state. Brown said one of the things she’d like to see the office add would be a full-time grant writer.
Special education: Brown said because of individual needs it tends to suck a lot of money away from the general population. It’s her personal feeling that society needs to take care of the sick, the elderly and children.
Bilingual education: Brown said the county must meet the needs of the children learning the language and at the same time hold to the expectation that they will learn the language. She doesn’t think that the teachers need to teach in Spanish.
County vs. planned development: Brown said that she’s talked a spokesman for DMB – the company working on the 6,800 home housing project between Hollister and Gilroy – and said that the plan for the development is to include dedicated land for schools. She said developing schools before housing is in place is responsible growth.
Overcrowded classrooms: Brown said class reductions offer opportunities to educators. With smaller classrooms teachers are better able to meet the needs of the students. Fourth and fifth grade levels locally are far above the size that they should be. Brown said that lowering class sizes will be very difficult, but it is her No. 1 priority. She said the county must be heard at the state and federal levels.
Three qualities most needed for the position: Passion, advocacy for family and visionary style. Brown said that it’s important to make decisions on the spot, but you always have to consider the impact upon others. She also felt that the ideal candidate has to be able to change their mind sometimes.
Education system in 2050: Brown said that the next generation has to find ways to deal with environmental and sewer issues. She felt like the growth issues will be tackled and “the idiocy” of No Child Left Behind will be behind us.
Tim Foley (incumbent)
Career highlights/professional qualifications: California County Superintendent Education Services Association, Legislative Committee; Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team board member, vice-chair, chair-elect; Founders Committee YMCA San Benito County; president US Lippizan Registry.
Reason for running: Foley loves his job, as the incumbent he said he has several projects in development and would like to see them through to completion before he is done. He said this term is likely his last.
Anything not being done today that the Office of Education needs to address: The office of county superintendent does not change. In 10 years, Foley has not experienced that there are issues left unaddressed. There are things coming up, like the preschool initiative, which the superintendent would be in charge of if passed.
Special Education: He comes from a special education background and said he is committed to it. There are programs that are federally mandated that don’t pay for themselves, thus it diverts resources from other students. The bill is constantly rising, especially as new kids are diagnosed with autism.
Bilingual Education: Foley said that this isn’t something that falls into the realm of county Superintendent of Schools.
County vs. planned development: Foley said that static populations are hard to manage fiscally. When the numbers stay the same, the income stays the same while costs rise, he said. Stagnation in the community is appalling.
Overcrowded classrooms: The problem is not within the domain of the superintendent. The rural schools aren’t crowded and even within the Hollister School District there will be empty classrooms. There are 30 students in some fourth and fifth grade classes because negotiated salaries have risen to the point that it’s difficult to hire additional teachers.
Three things most needed for position: Foley said that you need an ear, a heart and a backbone. An ear, because you have to be able to listen to everyone. Getting people to vent and express their feelings is important. It’s also informative. He said you need a heart – you better really love the kids. A backbone because you get paid to make really unpopular decisions, like the work he’s been doing with the Hollister School District on their financial problems.
Educational system in 2050: We can expect big things from technology, Foley said. From a philosophical view we’ll be looking at education from pre-school through grade 16 and even beyond. The focus has been K-12, but we need to look beyond that, Foley said. The county office is exploring options like a combined program that will ultimately end with a high school diploma and an AA degree.
