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SCCSBA President's Message by Shali Sirkay

I hope everyone’s May is going well! May is such a busy month with end of the school year activities, overlaid with our day jobs (and for some of us, end of the fiscal year wrap-up). As always, I sincerely hope that you can find some time for self-care. 

May was a busy and celebratory month at SCCSBA. We held our end of the year trustee mixer at my home at the beginning of May. I wanted to end the year as we started it- together in community celebrating the work that we do. We also held a well-attended Lunch & Learn with our new County Assessor, Neysa Fligor. Her office is particularly interested in community engagement, so I hope you can build on this growing relationship. 

We also held our very successful Hoffmann Awards Dinner on May 13^th. This event elevates and celebrates the fantastic programs in our districts that are making a positive impact on students and families. I am deeply thankful to the Hoffmann Awards Chair, Aine O’Donovan, and to all of the Hoffmann readers that took the time to review these programs. One criteria for selection is the program’s replicability, so I urge you to check out the Hoffmann Awards page (https://www.sccsba.org/hoffmann-awards) for ideas and inspiration. I’d like to thank all of the districts who applied this year- all of your programs are wonderful and deserving of recognition. My wish is that the media should highlight more programs that are successfully serving students and families in our county!

We have our final networking lunch planned in Gilroy on May 29 so I hope to see many of you there.

Our SCCSBA year is not over yet! We are busy programming right through the end of the year with a candidate workshop planned for June 20^th. If you know of anyone who is interested in running for school board this November, please encourage them to attend this candidate forum and hear directly from trustees about what our job as trustees entails. 

Finally, I know that quite a few of us are getting ready to start our own re-election campaigns. As we look ahead to a busy campaign season and election cycle, I’d like to wish each of you strength, energy and best of luck as you seek another term!

Please visit our website at sccsba.org for all of our upcoming events and activities.

Welcome to our new SCCSBA Officers for 2026-27

Chris Norwood (Milpitas USD), President

Jen Petroff (Union SD), Vice President of Programming

Isabel Jubes-Flamerich (Sunnyvale SD), Vice President of Advocacy

Elisabeth Halliday (Campbell UHSD), Treasurer

Shali Sirkay (Los Altos SD), Immediate Past President

Thanks to our outgoing Officers for 2025-26:

Shali Sirkay (Los Altos SD), President

Renee Lo (Orchard SD), Vice President of Programming

Chris Norwood (Milpitas USD), Vice President of Advocacy

Jen Petroff (Union SD), Treasurer

Carol Presunka (Cambrian SD), Immediate Past President

Many thanks to SCCSBA President Shali Sirkay for hosting our SCCSBA members at her home for a Reception on May 3. It was a fun networking event, celebrating trustees in our county. It was also a time to thank our outgoing Officers for 2025-2026 and to welcome our incoming Officers for 2026-27.

Friday, May 29 SCCSBA Networking Lunch

Our next networking lunch will be held on Friday, May 29 at BBQ152 Restaurant in Gilroy (8295 Monterey Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020). Our networking breakfasts and lunches are a fun way to connect with trustees across the county. All trustees are welcome and no RSVP is needed.

Legislative Action Committee hosts CSBA President Dr. Debra Schade

The SCCSBA LAC hosted CSBA President Dr. Debra Schade on a site visit of schools in different parts of our county last month. The group visited Christopher High School in the Gilroy Unified School District, August Boeger Middle School in the Mount Pleasant Elementary School District, Murdock-Portal Elementary School in the Cupertino Union School District, and Osbourne School, Juvenile Hall. This is the third year that the LAC has hosted the CSBA President in our county.

"Region 20's host sites for this year's tour highlighted innovation across Silicon Valley. Thank you to President Schade for continuing the tradition of visiting our county, and thank you to the educational leaders who opened their schools and classrooms for our visit," said Devon Conley, CSBA Region 20 Director and school board trustee from the Mountain View Whisman School District.

"Thank you President Schade for visiting several Santa Clara County schools in person and seeing the importance of the CSBA legislative advocacy first hand. We look forward to continuing our collaborative advocacy efforts," said SCCSBA Legislative Action Committee Chair and Milpitas Unified School Board President Chris Norwood.

Hoffmann Awards Dinner Celebration Recap

Celebrating the 2026 Hoffmann Awards Program

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Glenn W. Hoffmann Exemplary Program Awards Dinner. It was a wonderful evening celebrating outstanding programs from across Santa Clara County and honoring the educators, students, and district teams whose work is making a meaningful impact.

Videos highlighting each award-winning program, along with event photos, are now available on the Hoffmann Awards webpage. Click “Learn More” under each program to view its video and additional details.

We invite attendees to share feedback through our brief post-event survey.

Thank you again for helping us celebrate and elevate exemplary programs across our county.

Saratoga Union School District

Redwood Middle School Welcomes Future Griffins During Fifth Grade Tours

Saratoga Union School District (SUSD) fifth graders from Argonaut, Foothill and Saratoga elementary schools took a big step off the bus and landed at Redwood Middle School this month, where administration is dedicated to ensuring its future Griffins are ready to take flight.

While school counselor Angela Deans was previously giving presentations at each of the sites, the school decided to move to this on-campus model last year after hearing there was a need to give students real experience on campus to truly help ease tensions for the future and make the transition feel like home.

Griffin student leaders led tours of classrooms in action following a presentation from administration and a video produced by the school’s very own Griffin News Network. Visitors even departed with Griffin Pride prizes and giveaway bags!

For more photos, view the album. Follow SUSD on our social media platforms @saratogausd at Facebook and Instagram.

Morgan Hill Unified School District

Morgan Hill Unified School District is proud to be recognized by the Santa Clara County Office of Education during National Bilingual Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month. These honors reflect the district’s strong commitment to multilingualism and inclusive practices that support all learners.

We celebrate Sendy Ramirez, a P.A. Walsh STEAM Academy parent, who was named CABE Parent of the Year for her outstanding advocacy and support of multilingual students. Ann Sobrato High School and Live Oak High School were recognized for their Seal of Biliteracy programs, while P.A. Walsh STEAM Academy and San Martín/Gwinn Environmental Science Academy were honored for their Biliteracy Program Participation Pathways. The district was also acknowledged for its participation in Core Instructional Team collaborations.



These recognitions highlight the collective efforts of students, families, and staff in fostering a culture where language development and cultural diversity are valued and celebrated.

Gilroy Unified School District

The Gilroy Unified School District recently celebrated a powerful example of arts education in action through a student choral trip to New York City, culminating in a performance at Carnegie Hall. This milestone reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all students have access to meaningful, high-quality arts experiences as part of a well-rounded education.

Through participation in a MidAmerica Productions festival, students engaged in an intensive rehearsal and performance process alongside musicians from across the country. Performing major choral works by composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams and John Rutter, students demonstrated not only musical excellence, but also the collaboration, discipline, and perseverance that are central outcomes of arts education. These are the very skills that prepare students to thrive in college, careers, and civic life.

The experience extended beyond the stage, providing students with opportunities to engage with the cultural and historical richness of New York City. From attending live theater to visiting national landmarks, students connected their classroom learning to the broader world, reinforcing the role of the arts as a bridge to deeper understanding and engagement.

This experience underscores a broader vision for Gilroy Unified: that the arts are not an “extra” or “enrichment” but an essential component of student success. Investments in arts education create pathways for student voice, foster a sense of belonging, and elevate engagement across all areas of learning. As we continue to implement our Strategic Arts Plan, experiences like this affirm the importance of sustained support for arts programs at every grade level.



We are proud of our students and grateful for the educators, families, and community members who make these opportunities possible. Their collective effort ensures that our students are not only prepared, but inspired.

Milpitas Unified School District



MUSD breaks ground on Phase 3 of Innovation Campus

Milpitas Unified School District celebrated the official groundbreaking for Phase 3 of the MUSD Innovation Campus at an April 27th ceremony. This phase is the centerpiece of the Measure AA-bond project, which includes a Workforce Development Center, Early Childhood Education Research Center, Board of Education meeting room, and flexible community gathering spaces. Phase 3 is expected to be complete in summer 2027.

Cambrian School District

We are pleased to share that Mrs. Debbie Stein, current principal of Sartorette Elementary School, has been appointed as the new principal of Steindorf STEAM School, effective July 1.

Ms. Stein brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and leadership to this role. Many in our community may remember that she previously served as a teacher at Steindorf, making this transition especially meaningful. Her deep understanding of the school’s culture and shared leadership, combined with her proven leadership at Sartorette, positions her well to guide Steindorf into its next chapter.



We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Stein back to Steindorf and are confident that she will continue to inspire students, support staff, and strengthen connections with families.

STAY CONNECTED

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