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Use the links below to jump right into the stories! |
Happy Holidays from SSDA! |
SSDA member school districts were invited to have their students design holiday cards. Watch the video below to see all the amazing cards created by our students! |
SSDA Semi-Annual Report: Six Months of Success |
Over the past six months, the SSDA team has worked diligently to deliver essential programs and services that support our members and advance the needs of small and rural school districts. Through advocacy, professional development, convenings, and timely communications, SSDA has focused on ensuring members receive meaningful value, practical resources, and strong representation, all with the goal of strengthening leadership, operations, and student outcomes across our districts. |
Message from the SSDA President |
Reflecting on a Strong First Half of the Year
As we approach the close of the calendar year, December provides an important opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead. Across our small school districts, the first half of the school year has been marked by steady leadership, thoughtful governance, and an unwavering commitment to students and communities. On behalf of the Small School Districts’ Association, thank you for the work you do every day for children, families, communities, and staff. Your leadership in small and rural districts continues to make a meaningful and lasting difference.
Legislative Committee Update: Preparing for a Critical 2026 Year
This week, SSDA convened the first meeting of our Legislative Committee, marking an important step in strengthening advocacy efforts for small school districts. The committee is being facilitated by Capitol Advisors and chaired by Dr. Amy Alzina, SSDA Vice President. The group began identifying legislative priorities, reviewing early signals from Sacramento, and discussing the unique and often disproportionate challenges faced by small and rural districts. As we look ahead, it is increasingly clear that the 2026 legislative year will be both active and consequential for small school district advocacy.
The committee discussed several major pressures that disproportionately impact small school districts, including funding volatility, the ongoing challenge of relying on one-time versus sustainable funding, potable water compliance and infrastructure mandates, special education encroachment, duplicative state reporting requirements, charter school legislation, and accountability and Dashboard volatility that can be triggered by very small student populations. More to come in 2026!!!
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SSDA's 2026 Annual State Conference is coming up in less than three months! It keeps getting bigger and better, and we’d love to have you there.
March 7-10 | Sheraton Grand Hotel Sacramento | Register Here!
Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and grow with small and rural school district leaders from across the state.
Learn more and secure your spot today: 2026 SSDA State Conference
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Victory for Rural Education: Secure Rural Schools Act Reauthorization Passes the U.S. House! |
Last week, the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act of 2025 passed, a bipartisan measure that extends the SRS program, a key source of federal funding for rural school districts, through fiscal year 2026. The program provides crucial financial support to districts in communities with large amounts of untaxed federal land, helping offset lost local revenue and maintain essential services. California’s rural districts stand to receive significant funding under the extension, including tens of millions of dollars allocated to support education and local services.
SSDA extends its thanks to Jaime Green, Superintendent of the Trinity Alps Unified School District, for his leadership and tireless advocacy in support of this legislation. His efforts were instrumental in securing this funding for rural school districts across California.
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The Bradley Union School District has been selected by The Education Magazine as one of the 10 Most Admired School Districts |
Bradley, California, is a town built on tracks and trails. In 1886, when the Southern Pacific Railroad laid its line across the land of Bradley V. Sargent, a community began to take shape around the station. Later, Highway 101 brought more families and businesses, weaving the town tightly into the fabric of the region. At the center of this growing community, Bradley Union School District has quietly guided generations of students, helping them find their own paths forward.
The district has always reached beyond the classroom. For more than 30 years, the annual AIDS LifeCycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles has passed through Bradley on Day 3. Students prepare lunch, craft postcards, and create buttons for the cyclists. The donations collected in return fund field trips, sports programs, and new technology, giving students a hands-on lesson in service and community engagement.
Each year, students in the Middle School attend Science Camp — an immersive experience that provides hands-on learning, boosts academic performance, develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and fosters independence and confidence. Students also improve social skills through teamwork and collaboration, disconnect from technology, and gain a deeper appreciation for nature. This enriching opportunity is made possible by the generous donations from AIDS LifeCycle participants.
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Rim of the World Unified School District: Building Pathways of Excellence in a Mountain Community |
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Located high in the San Bernardino Mountains, Rim of the World Unified School District (ROWUSD) is more than a school system, it is the heart of a rural mountain community. With two high schools, three elementary schools, one intermediate school, and a virtual academy, ROWUSD bridges long distances and rugged terrain to ensure students and families remain connected, supported, and empowered.
As Community Outreach Coordinator Jackee Benson explains, “We’re very rural… we’re really far away from each of our elementary schools, and the high school is kind of our hub. We’re the largest employer on the mountain, and even the emergency hub. Communication is vital for our community.” Her words reflect the district’s deep understanding of the community it serves and the essential role ROWUSD plays in keeping the mountain connected.
ROWUSD has made communication and collaboration core priorities, transforming the way families receive information and engage with schools. Every Monday at 3:30 p.m., the district publishes its Weekly Kickoff Bulletin, a comprehensive update that details activities and events at each school. “It has every activity that’s going on at every school,” Jackee states. Whether it’s a fire drill, fundraiser, or high school football game, families across the mountain can stay informed and involved.
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Sage Oak Charter Schools Named to the 2025 ERP Honor Roll for Closing Achievement Gaps |
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Sage Oak Charter Schools is celebrating both its Helendale and Keppel campuses being named to the 2025 Educational Results Partnership (ERP) Honor Roll, a statewide distinction for closing achievement gaps and advancing success among higher-poverty and historically disadvantaged students.
The ERP Honor Roll identifies schools with strong, evidence-based results that exceed expectations on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). In 2025, only 1,834 schools, approximately 21 percent of all eligible schools, earned a place on the list. For Sage Oak, inclusion on the Honor Roll for years 2023 and 2025 reinforces the strength of the school’s personalized learning model.
Superintendent and CEO Krista Woodgrift, who leads the TK–12 program serving just under 5,500 students across nine counties in Southern California, sees this recognition as a direct reflection of Sage Oak’s mission and approach. “It means that we're closing the achievement gap. When they’re looking at schools, it’s an outside entity evaluating which schools exceed the state in all areas and subgroups. About 20 percent of schools meet those criteria. What it means is that our model works, our mission, our personalized learning approach, meeting students and families where they are, customizing a plan for each student. It speaks volumes.”
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SSDA's Official Podcast: SSDA Soundwave |
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SSDA now has an official podcast: The SSDA Soundwave Podcast! Featuring great leaders as guests, this is your go-to place to hear from SSDA and learn about all the amazing things happening in our small and rural school districts. Episodes are already available. Be sure to listen on Spotify or YouTube! |
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Are you looking for some Technology Funding? |
Most Rural Technology Fund grants are $500–$2500.
Please request the amount your budget justifies; maximum awards are uncommon and require strong evidence of broad impact.
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Scaling Student Success Study Tour |
On Monday, January 26, 2026, Scaling Student Success invites you to join a study tour focused on exploring the opportunities and challenges of implementing a Graduate Profile in small school districts and charter schools.
Participants will hear stories from Winters Joint Unified School District, Esparto Unified School District, Compass Charter Schools, and Mountain Empire Unified School District to learn firsthand about their journeys in bringing a Graduate Profile to life.
The tour will also include an on-site visit to the Esparto Unified School District campus! |
Registration is now open for the remaining E3 (Engage-Empower-Elevate) Forums! These events are free for SSDA members and feature valuable professional development sessions on timely topics. |
San Diego | Wednesday, January 14, 2026
University Club San Diego
750 B St Suite #3400, San Diego, CA 92101
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Imperial | Thursday, January 15, 2026
Imperial County Office of Education
1398 Sperber Rd, El Centro, CA 92243
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2025-2026 SSDA Governance Series |
The third session of the SSDA governance series featured Katie Kohler, Superintendent, and Cynthia McCoy, Board President of Chicago Park School District, who shared about Creating Synergy Between the Superintendent and the Board President. Randy Erickson, Principal Attorney, presented part 3 of the FPPC ethics compliance training.
You can still register for the remaining sessions! This series is free for SSDA members. The fourth session is on January 22nd, from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM, with Capitol Advisors and the fourth installment of the FPPC ethics training presented by Randy Erickson, Principal Attorney at McDougal Law Firm.
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Congress Passes Secure Rural Schools Act Reauthorization |
Congress has finally moved to restore Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding, a critical lifeline for many of California’s smallest and most geographically isolated districts. This has been a major priority for the Small School Districts’ Association.
On December 9, 2025, the House voted on S.356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, under suspension of the rules. That meant there could be no amendments, and it required a two-thirds vote to pass. In a resounding win for SSDA and impacted small school districts across the Nation, the House passed the bill 399-5. The Senate had already approved the bill unanimously back in June.
Secure Rural Schools funding authorization expired in 2023, and the lapse has been brutal. Counties with large amounts of federal, tax-exempt land saw a 63% drop in federal revenue between FY 2023 and FY 2024, roughly $177 million lost nationwide. These dollars support schools, transportation, essential staff, and basic operating stability. Without reauthorization, the projected losses for FY 2024 and 2025 exceed $100 million and have put some rural schools on the brink of closure.
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Are you looking for your next opportunity in education or trying to find the perfect candidate for your small school district?
The SSDA Job Board is your go-to hub for job postings across California’s small and rural school districts!
Explore job openings or post a position here: https://www.ssda.org/page/jobs
Superintendent - Hilmar Unified School District
Hilmar Unified School District is seeking a Superintendent. Deadline to apply is December 28, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. PST. To apply, please visit: www.educationleadershipservices.org/current-openings and select the listing for this position. For general information, contact Dr. José L. González, Search Consultant, at jgonzalez@els4u.org or (209)535-3259. Salary is competitive and negotiable, based on education and experience; 2,300 ADA.
Apply: Hilmar USD Application
Deadline to Apply: December 28, 2025, at 11:55 PM
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