WelcoHHav

SCCSBA President's Message

By Carol Presunka (Cambrian SD)

Welcome to spring. The season of school open houses and the start of promotion/graduation ceremonies!  

Our March meeting had Dr. Lisa Andrew presenting from the Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) on Senator Cortese’s Education Equalization Plan. Senate Bill 743 would create the Equalization Reserve account where, during years of surplus, a portion of state funds would be transferred to this account to increase equitable funding. SCCSBA Legislative Action Committee (LAC) is working with SVEF and Senator Cortese’s office on the bill to ensure it reflects Santa Clara County’s needs. Members of SCCSBA are invited to learn more about how California schools are funded and advocate for our students, teachers, and school districts. 

Dr. Bettye Lusk, President of the California School Boards Association (CSBA) came to tour some of our school sites to get a better understanding of the unique needs of Santa Clara County. Thank you to Loma Prieta School District, Berryessa School District, San Jose Unified School District, and the SCC Office of Education for hosting our visits. Dr. Lusk will also be at our May 21 SCCSBA Lunch and Learn to hear about issues impacting our students in Santa Clara County.

Thank you to those that came to our Saturday April 14 Networking breakfast. It’s great to see new faces and get to share different experiences. And at our April 16 SCCSBA Lunch and Learn, Jennifer Elenes from SCCOE helped us find ways to improve our ADA outcomes.  

Our Hoffmann Awards are coming up May 7th! If you didn’t already get your tickets, unfortunately they are all sold out. However, don't dismay, pictures and videos of our winners will be posted on our website at sccsba.org after the event.

Don’t forget our last general SCCSBA evening meeting of the school year on Thursday, April 24th, featuring the topic of Going Green, Environment vs Economics! Hope to see you there!

Check out all the SCCSBA upcoming events and activities on our website: www.sccsba.org

Thursday, April 24 - SCCSBA Evening Zoom Meeting

Come and join us on Thursday, April 24 for a discussion about Going Green, Environment vs. Economics. Our featured guest speaker will be Brooklyn Stewart from Centrica. The meeting runs from 7:00-8:30 PM on Zoom. All trustees are welcome to come and check your email inbox for the zoom link. This will be our last evening Zoom meeting for the school year, and we will resume with evening Zoom meetings in September.

Wednesday, May 7 - SCCSBA Hoffmann Awards Dinner and Celebration

Congratulations to the 2025 Hoffmann Award Winners! (Listed in alphabetical order)

• Access East Side | East Side Union High School District
• Culinary Arts | Metropolitan Education District
• English Language Development Academy | Campbell Union High School District
• Literacy Intervention Teacher Team (LIT) | Santa Clara Unified School District
• Making Our Schools an Inclusive Community (MOSAIC) Program | Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District
• Sartorette Hispanic Student Achievement and Family Engagement Program | Cambrian School District

Our May 7 Hoffmann Awards Dinner and Celebration is now sold out, but we congratulate all the winners for this year.

View the SCCSBA website to learn more about the Hoffmann Awards program. Thank you to Isabel Jubes-Flamerich (SESD) and Aine O'Donovan (CUHSD), co-chairs of the 2025 Hoffmann Awards program, as well as the trustees and educators who reviewed applications and conducted site visits.

This year's Hoffmann Awards Dinner is sponsored by CliffordMoss, Orenda, Finney Architects, Team CivX and the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

May 16 SCCSBA Networking Lunch at OPA!

All trustees are welcome to our next SCCSBA networking lunch on Friday, May 16 at OPA! Restaurant in Campbell (276 East Campbell Avenue). The no-host lunch will be held from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. This will be our last networking lunch for the school year, and we will resume again in September. We have had a great turnout for our networking lunches and breakfasts this year, and it has been a great opportunity to chat with school board members across the county.

Here is a photo below of last Saturday's SCCSBA Networking Breakfast at Bill's Cafe.

22nd Annual Sacramento Bus Trip for Education on May 20

Join CA State Senator Dave Cortese (District 15) on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 for an all-day visit to our State's Capitol in Sacramento as part of his 22nd Annual Bus Trip for Education! For over two decades, he has invited Silicon Valley residents up to Sacramento to engage directly with their legislators at the State Capitol. The Bus Trip aims to inform those attending the event about the legislature’s budget and legislative process with a focus on public education bill proposals and funding priorities. What started as a small group of concerned residents has now grown to a significant gathering of educators, students, parents, and community members, all working to improve education funding and awareness, leaving a lasting impact. 

Here is the link to register: 22nd Annual Sacramento Bus Trip for Education

May 21 SCCSBA Lunch and Learn - CSBA President Bettye Lusk

Please join us for a special SCCSBA Lunch and Learn Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, May 21. Our featured guest will be CSBA President Bettye Lusk. Bettye Lusk is a school board member of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board, in addition to being this year's president of the California School Boards Association. She will be here to listen and to learn from our members about what's important to your school districts. All trustees are invited to attend, and please check your email inbox for the zoom link.

CSBA Delegate Assembly Election Winners for our Region

Congratulations to the winners of the recent CSBA Delegate Assembly Regional Elections. The winners are: Teresa Castellanos (San Jose USD), Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto (FUHSD), George Sanchez (Franklin-McKinley SD), and Vaishali (Shali) Sirkay (Los Altos SD). All members of the Delegate Assembly serve for two-year terms. The rest of our regional delegation (who will be up for reelection next year) includes: Isabel Jubes-Flamerich (Sunnyvale SD), Jodi Muirhead (Santa Clara USD), Carol Presunka (Cambrian SD), and Jessica Speiser (County Board of Education). The County Board of Education Delegate is Maimona Afzal Berta. Thanks to everyone who was a candidate in the recent election.

The Delegate Assembly provides policy direction for the association, elects officers and directors, and ensures that the association reflects the interests of school districts and county offices of education. The next Delegate Assembly meeting will be held on May17-18 in Sacramento.

Recap of CSBA President Bettye Lusk's Tour with SCCSBA on April 14

On April 14, the SCCSBA hosted CSBA President Bettye Lusk for a tour of school districts in our county. President Lusk started the day at Loma Prieta Joint Union School District, where Superintendent Dr. Kevin Grier talked about the opportunities and challenges facing its school district which is both a mountain school and a small school district. He was joined by his board members Charlotte Boisvert-Khandelwal and Denise Ramon-Herrera. Next, Dr. Lusk visited Hoover Middle School in the San Jose Unified School District, where Superintendent Nancy Albarran discussed what's happening in this large unified district, and she was joined by Trustees Teresa Castellanos and Jose Magana. The afternoon was spent with the Berryessa School District, and Dr. Roxane Fuentes discussed how the district dealt with the challenges of declining enrollment and school consolidation. And finally Dr. Lusk visited SCCOE's Hester School in San Jose, and Principal Katherine Green provided an overview of this special education school run by the County Office of Education. Dr. Lusk was joined in her visit by SCCSBA trustees Carol Presunka, Shali Sirkay, Chris Norwood, Isabel Jubes-Flamerich, Bridget Watson, John Horner, Jessica Speiser, Devon Conley, Sylvia Leong, and SCCSBA Executive Director Bonnie Mace.

Santa Clara Unified School District

SCUSD Welcomes New Superintendent in July

The Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce Dr. Damon J. Wright as the new Superintendent of Santa Clara Unified School District. The appointment was made at the Board of Trustees’ regular meeting on April 10, 2025. Dr. Wright will join SCUSD after Superintendent Dr. Gary Waddell retires in June. With over 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Wright joins SCUSD from Benicia Unified School District where he currently serves as superintendent. 

“The Board of Trustees was committed to identifying a Superintendent who would advance SCUSD’s vision and goals and exemplify our core values. Through extensive community engagement this winter, the board heard and joined the community in its desire for a candidate who would understand the needs of our diverse student population, establish a culture of high expectations for all students and staff, and foster a positive, professional climate of mutual trust and respect. Santa Clara Unified is an exceptional district, attracting a hiring pool of strong candidates. Dr. Wright stood out in interviews for many reasons — most notably his commitment to closing opportunity gaps for our most underserved students, his belief that there is no ceiling for growth in Santa Clara Unified, and his commitment to student and staff wellness, collaborative leadership, and inclusivity. We have every confidence in Dr. Wright and warmly welcome him to SCUSD.”

- Board President Bonnie Lieberman

“It is an honor and privilege to serve as Superintendent of Santa Clara Unified School District and to join a community deeply rooted in a shared vision and strong values centered on student success. I look forward to building meaningful relationships with our educators, students, families, and community partners as we work together to advance the district’s vision and realize the aspirations of our community. Together, through our collective strength, we will empower every student to thrive beyond their educational journey in SCUSD.”

- Incoming Superintendent Dr. Damon J. Wright

“We are fortunate indeed to welcome a new Superintendent of Dr. Wright’s caliber to the SCUSD family who I know will continue to lead the district with a focus on excellence and well-being for all students, empathy and respect, equity, and partnership. It is a pleasure to hand the reins to a leader with Dr. Wright’s reputation and expertise. I know great things are in store for Santa Clara Unified School District!”

- Superintendent Dr. Waddell

Campbell Union School District

New Chromebook Policy Promotes Student Well-Being and Responsible Tech Use

To support student wellness and academic success, Campbell Union School District implemented a new policy limiting late-night access to district-issued Chromebooks. As of March 28, devices automatically shut down between 9:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Middle school students receive take-home Chromebooks for school-related tasks. While the devices are filtered and monitored, administrators noted an increase in late-night alerts for non-academic use—raising concerns about student well-being.

“Our data showed much of the late-night usage was not related to school work,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “This policy aligns with the Board’s commitment to fostering future-ready learners while also putting necessary guardrails in place.”

Students can still access assignments using family-owned devices, if needed. The goal is to encourage healthier sleep routines, reduce stress for staff, and ensure students are ready to learn each day.

Health experts emphasize that adequate sleep is essential for adolescent development, emotional health, and academic performance.

“Our aim is to support our students getting a good night’s rest, being good digital citizens, and being ready for learning each day,” Viramontez said.

Sunnyvale School District

Sunnyvale Students Showcase Culinary Skills in Future Chefs Challenge

Nine Sunnyvale School District elementary students competed on March 28 in Sodexo’s Future Chefs Challenge. The national initiative aims to get students thinking about making healthy food choices while encouraging them to get active and creative in the kitchen!

Sunnyvale School District joined several districts across the country in the competition. Judges included Board President Bridget Watson, Board Trustee Michelle Maginot, and SSD Communications and Community Engagement Manager Alia Wilson.

Congratulations to Lucas Stahlberg, a fifth grader at Cherry Chase, who finished in first place for our district! His Hawaiian Chow Fun recipe will be featured on the cafeteria lunch menus districtwide in May and June!

Congratulations also to the other competitors! All the competitors received a cookbook, personalized apron and chef's hat, a medal, and a trophy!

The talent of our Future Chefs is truly impressive! We look forward to seeing more from our aspiring chefs next year!

Milpitas Unified School District

Five MUSD problem-solving teams qualify for Odyssey of Mind World Finals

Five Milpitas Unified School District teams representing Curtner, Burnett and Sinnott Elementary Schools, as well as Russell Middle School and Milpitas High School, advanced to the World Finals of a creative, problem-solving competition known as Odyssey of the Mind.

The competition teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers. Teams are faced with a problem that requires an original solution. Students apply what they learn in the classroom and combine it with their interests and passions to solve unique open-ended problems.

Sixteen MUSD teams participated in the Odyssey of the Mind Qualifying Tournament, including five student teams that qualified for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Michigan State University from May 21-24, representing Northern California on the world stage.

MetroED

Career Technical Education Propels SVCTE Students to National and Regional Success

Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) center students continue to impress in regional and national programs that connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities.

Medical Assisting Student Selected for National Program

Kim Ngo, a Medical Assisting student at SVCTE and Independence High School in East Side Union School District, was selected for the competitive HOSA-Future Health Professionals Outset Program. She will attend a weeklong pediatrics-focused session this July at the University of Michigan, gaining hands-on experience alongside doctors and peers. She credits her SVCTE training and instructor Nadine Gonzales for preparing her to take this next step in her healthcare journey. Inspired by her younger sister’s treatment at Stanford Children’s Hospital, Ngo hopes to pursue a future in pediatric medicine. Read more

Film and Video Production Students Win for Third Year

SVCTE Film and Video Production students earned second place in the Santa Clara County Viral Video Public Service Contest for the third consecutive year. This year’s team—Aksol Corona (Westmont High in Campbell Union High School District), Angelo Idanan (Silver Creek High in East Side Union High School District), and Saul Sanchez Barajas (Macdonald High in Santa Clara Unified School District)—was recognized for their original video, “Sock Talk!”, which promotes sexually transmitted infection awareness and healthy relationships during STI Awareness Week. The team received $1,000 in prize money, plus $500 for their school. Read more

These achievements highlight the impact of Career Technical Education in empowering students with skills, experiences, and confidence to excel beyond the classroom.

Cambrian School District

Steindorf STEAM School’s Galvez Gladiator Run

Steindorf STEAM School’s Galvez Gladiator Run took place on March 21st, honoring beloved former Physical Education teacher Mr. Adam Galvez, who passed away last spring. The event at the Cambrian School District school began with a heartfelt opening ceremony featuring speeches from students, staff, family members, and Superintendent Kristi Schwiebert. Throughout the day, students participated in running and walking laps around the field, with an inflatable slide for K-5 and an obstacle course for middle school. (Special thanks to Megan Noll for that!) The fundraiser was a tremendous success, raising $20,000 for the school.

“Thank you to our amazing parent coordinators, Laura Patton and Moema Fernandes, as well as our staff organizer leads, Mrs. Lam and Ms. Chieng,” said Steindorf Principal Dr. Trisha Lee. “Today's event wouldn’t have been such a success without our incredible parent volunteers and staff, who came together to make it a truly memorable day!”

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