By Yuri Calderon, Executive Director, Small School Districts’ Association

Across California, from mountain passes to desert valleys, small and rural school districts are proving what strong leadership looks like when every dollar and every decision matters. These are the districts where the superintendent drives to check bus routes at dawn, comforts a student after lunch, and still finds time to balance the books before the day ends.

Now, for the first time, the courage, creativity, and resilience of small-district leadership has been captured in a single book. 

A New Resource for a New Era

I am proud to announce the publication of Leading Small, Thinking Big: A Roadmap for Rural and Small School Leadership, a project that represents the heart and soul of the Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA).

This book grew from a simple but powerful idea: that leadership in small and rural districts deserves to be studied, celebrated, and supported on its own terms. For too long, most leadership resources have focused on large systems with deep infrastructures. This book changes that narrative.

Stories That Define Us

The opening story, featuring Dr. Patrick Keeley, Superintendent of Mountain Empire Unified and SSDA’s 2025 Superintendent of the Year, sets the tone. Faced with a high school literally held together by plywood, Dr. Keeley refused to give up. His determination brought millions in hardship funding and renewed dignity to his students and community.

That kind of perseverance and vision is what this book honors. It captures what it truly means to lead small—where leadership is personal, resources are thin, and every success is earned through persistence and heart.

Written by Those Who Live It

During SSDA’s 2025 Small School Superintendency Retreat in Newport Beach, more than 100 superintendents came together not only to learn but to create. Over three days, we drafted a professional guidebook built from lived experience—a roadmap grounded in the real-world challenges and triumphs of our members.

Each chapter reflects a vital dimension of leadership:

Vision: Grounding leadership in belonging and clarity

Business: Doing more with less

Staffing: Recruiting and retaining people who make a difference

Learning: Keeping instruction at the center

Crisis: Leading with presence and trust

CTE: Expanding equity through career readiness

More Than a Book

This publication also lays the foundation for SSDA’s Elevat-Ed Forum for New & Aspiring Superintendents, designed to prepare and support those stepping into small-district leadership. But its reach extends far beyond California. Rural districts across the nation face similar inequities, and this book gives them both a voice and a roadmap.

A Shared Vision

This book exists because of the wisdom and generosity of over a hundred superintendents who contributed their stories, their time, and their insight. What began as an ambitious dream has become a shared reality—one that honors the courage and innovation of small-district leaders across our state.

Get Your Copy

Leading Smalls, Thinking Big is now available for purchase. It stands as both a reflection of who we are and a challenge to continue thinking boldly about what small and rural schools can achieve.

I invite every leader, board member, and educator to read it, share it, and carry its message forward: small schools have and deserve big leadership.

It’s hard to believe we’re already deep into October, the time of year when classrooms are in full swing, schedules are packed, and the pace of school life rarely slows down. Across the state, test scores have been released, fall activities are in full motion, and the holiday season will be here before we know it.

For many of us, this is the moment where we pause and remind ourselves why we do this work. The numbers and data help tell part of the story, but they never tell the whole one. Behind every data point is a student — a real child with unique challenges, talents, and dreams. And behind that student stands a team of educators who give their best, every single day.

In my own district, we center everything we do around one guiding belief:

Every Day, Every Child,  Whatever It Takes!

That simple statement drives every decision, every conversation, and every plan we make. It’s not about perfection; it’s about commitment. It means showing up daily with purpose. It means seeing every child, not just the ones who are thriving, but also those who may be struggling quietly. And it means doing whatever it takes — even when it’s inconvenient, even when it’s hard — because kids deserve nothing less.

As we approach Thanksgiving and the winter break that quickly follows, I encourage all of us to keep in mind the students who don’t always do well over long breaks. For some, school is the place where they feel safest, most supported, and most connected. A little extra attention before the holidays — a check-in, a kind word, a mentor conversation — can make a world of difference.

At the same time, let’s remember to care for ourselves and our teams. Leadership, especially in small schools, takes stamina. It asks us to balance compassion with courage and to model calm amid the chaos. Staying strong doesn’t mean doing it all alone — it means leaning on one another, sharing ideas, and keeping perspective when things feel heavy. And yes — we can all take a collective sigh of relief that Halloween lands on a Friday this year! Sometimes the universe gives school leaders a well-timed gift.Through it all, let’s keep our focus where it belongs: on our students, our staff, our communities, and our shared mission as small school leaders.

At SSDA, our shared Vision reminds us why we lead:

Empowering educational leaders for the success of every student.

And our Mission keeps us focused on how we lead:

Uniting and elevating small school districts through strategic legislative advocacy, collaborative networks, and targeted professional development, fostering an engaged community of empowered educational leaders for the success of every student.

This vision and mission are more than words — they reflect what happens in every small district across California, every single day. We lead with purpose, we advocate with integrity, and we never lose sight of the students and educators at the heart of it all.

Together, let’s continue to lead with heart, stay grounded in what truly matters, and remember that the strength of small schools lies in our collective care, creativity, and connection.

Every Day, Every Child,  Whatever It Takes!

Stay strong, stay connected, and keep leading with heart.

Thursday, October 30th | 3:30–4:30 PM

Join SSDA for an important webinar - State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Candidate Forum, featuring Josh Newman, Al Muratsuchi, and Anthony Rendon.

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from candidates about their vision for California’s schools and to ensure the voices of small and rural districts are represented in the conversation.

Register here to attend the live forum.
Have a question for the candidates? Please complete the form here — your question may be selected and answered during the event!

Yuri Calderon, Executive Director of the Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) and the SSDA team, presented at the National Forum for the Advancement of Rural Education (NFARE) Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Leading Smalls, Thinking Big!

The Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) is proud to share an exciting milestone that reflects our ongoing commitment to engaging, empowering, and elevating small and rural school leaders across California.

At last week’s National Rural Education Association Conference, SSDA Executive Director Yuri Calderon and the SSDA team unveiled Leading Smalls, Thinking Big. This unique publication showcases the remarkable work and voices of small and rural school district leaders throughout the state. It stands as a testament to the dedication, innovation, and collaboration that define SSDA’s professional development initiatives and the transformative impact of our member districts.

We extend our gratitude to all member districts who contributed to this project. We hope you enjoy the publication, and stay tuned for more copies coming soon!

On October 20–21, 2025, the Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) joined forces with the National Rural Education Association in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools (SRS), which provides critical funding for students, programs, and infrastructure in rural communities across the country.

California’s rural schools took a leading role in the advocacy efforts. Superintendent Jamie Green and Assistant Superintendent/CBO Sheree Beans of Trinity Alps Unified guided Future Farmers of America (FFA) students from nine states, joined by Assembly Member Heather Hadwick. California’s participation shined, with Superintendent Morgan Nugent of Fall River Unified, Modoc Unified, and Trinity Alps Unified actively involved throughout the trip.

Together, the group visited numerous congressional offices, including the Speaker of the House, to highlight the real-world effects of the SRS funding lapse on schools, student programs, and FFA chapters nationwide. A special thank-you goes to Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association, as well as to Jamie Green, Sheree Beans, and Assembly Member Heather Hadwick, for their leadership and coordination in making this impactful visit possible.

The trip was both inspiring and impactful, demonstrating the power of united rural voices on Capitol Hill. FFA students from 11 states also engaged directly with congressional leaders to discuss reinstating SRS funding, a critical step in ensuring the continued support of rural schools and road programs that have been serving communities since 1908.

“The students did an incredible job sharing their experiences and advocating for their schools,” said SSDA Executive Director Yuri Calderon. “This visit proved that when students from rural communities come together, their voices can be heard at the highest levels of government.”

Meetings with California Representatives, Senators, and their staff filled the two-day agenda, and participants returned home with hopeful feedback and renewed energy for ongoing advocacy.

By Peter Livingston, Superintendent, Lucerne Valley Unified School District

“Local control” has become one of the most popular phrases in California education policy. It sounds empowering — the idea that school districts can make decisions based on the unique needs of their students and communities. But in practice, that promise has faded.

We’re told districts have autonomy, until we make a decision that doesn’t fit the state’s preferred narrative. Then come the memos, the mandates, and the quiet expectation to “get back in line.” Local control — but only if you agree.

Under Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, we’ve seen a steady tightening of the reins. The message is clear: every district should move in lockstep with Sacramento’s priorities, no matter how different our communities may be. What’s being called “support” often feels more like supervision.

The challenge for local leaders is that we’re still responsible for real outcomes — student learning, safe campuses, staff morale, and community trust — while working under a growing maze of state directives that don’t always reflect our realities. The more the state dictates what we “should” do, the less ownership our communities feel for their schools. When you remove local ownership, you weaken the partnership that public education depends on.

This isn’t about politics — it’s about trust. True local leadership means understanding that what works in San Francisco may not work in the Mojave Desert. The beauty of local control was supposed to be respect for local wisdom — for the teachers, parents, and administrators who know their communities best. When the state dictates what “good education” must look like, it risks silencing the diversity of thought and innovation that once defined California’s schools.

Education should never be about advancing a political agenda. Our role as superintendents is not to echo ideology, but to educate — to prepare students to think critically, act ethically, and serve their communities with purpose. One-size-fits-all policy isn’t equity; it’s control.

Local control was never meant to be conditional. It was meant to give every district a voice — rural or urban, large or small — in shaping how education happens where they live. To reduce that vision to compliance is to erode both trust and accountability.

We need the courage to say, “We’re not in the business of pushing agendas. We’re in the business of educating children.”

If California truly believes in local control, it’s time to let local leaders lead. Trust communities to know themselves. Trust educators to innovate. Trust parents to have a voice. Because the closer we are to our students, the clearer our mission becomes — and the stronger our schools will be.

Author Bio

Peter Livingston is the Superintendent of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District, where he advocates for community-driven education, local accountability, and leadership rooted in integrity and service.

Join us in extending congratulations to Dr. Roberta Zarea, who has officially joined the SSDA Board of Directors representing Region 4! We are thrilled to welcome her to the team. Dr. Zarea brings a strong commitment to educational equity and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of small and rural school districts. Her leadership, experience, and passion for supporting students and educators will be a tremendous asset to SSDA and to the districts she represents across Region 4.

Student presentation from Geyserville USD

Santa Rosa E3 Forum Attendees

Speaker & EdTech Coach Jacob Carr

The Santa Rosa E3 Forum brought together an outstanding group of speakers, school district leaders, and SSDA partners for a powerful day focused on Governance and the Importance of Vision.

We were honored to feature Kirk Koennecke, Superintendent of Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, who delivered an inspiring keynote on student-centered governance. His presentation was live webcasted and is still available to watch here.

Additional highlights included Jacob Carr, EdTech Leader at the Butte County Office of Education, who shared valuable insights on Comprehensive AI Readiness for Small Schools.

We are deeply grateful to our partners who delivered impactful sessions as well, the Cook Center for Human Connection and Kingsley Bogard, for their continued collaboration and support.

A massive thank you to all our speakers, partners, and incredible school leaders who made the Santa Rosa E3 Forum a true success!

Superintendent Rob Effa

Student Presentation from Foothill High School

Audience questions during the NextGen Math presentation

The Redding E3 Forum, held at the Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge, brought together inspiring speakers, school leaders, and SSDA partners for a powerful day focused on Instruction.

The event opened with a student presentation from Foothill High School (Shasta Union HSD), followed by Erin Walker, CEO, and Joost DeMoes, President of NextGen Math, who shared strategies for increasing math achievement in K–12 classrooms. View the webcast here. Assemblymember Heather Hadwick provided a valuable Legal Update, and attendees joined interactive Expert Roundtables covering topics such as math strategies, technology, facilities, and mental health.

Amy Yamamoto Callahan from the Cook Center for Human Connection inspired leaders to Lead with Vision. A CTE Pathways Panel featuring Bret Barnes and Brian Selke highlighted innovative workforce connections, and Jacob Carr from Butte County Office of Education closed the day with insights on AI Readiness for Small Schools.

A special thank you to all our partners, presenters, and school leaders for making the Redding E3 Forum a success!

Registration is now open for all upcoming E3 (Engage-Empower-Elevate) Forums! These events are free for SSDA members and feature valuable professional development sessions on timely topics.

Next Up!

Bakersfield | November 13, 2025

From Vision to Reality: Navigating Facilities Funding for Small and Rural Schools

Just Ahead...

San Diego | January 14, 2026 | Register Here!

Join us for the SSDA E3 Forum in San Diego on January 14th, where the focus is on the Superintendent as the Instructional Leader. This forum will highlight how superintendents can lead with an instructional lens, support effective teaching and learning, and build a culture of continuous improvement, even in small and rural districts with unique challenges. 

Imperial | January 15, 2026 | Register Here!

Join us in Imperial, California, on January 15th, where the focus is on the Superintendent as the Instructional Leader. This session will explore how superintendents in small and rural districts can effectively shape instructional vision, support teachers and principals, and drive student achievement, often while balancing multiple roles. 

Sonora | May 7-8, 2026 | Register Here!

Join us for the SSDA E3 Forum in Sonora, CA, on May 7, 2026, as we tackle School Transformation in the Age of AI. This timely forum will explore how small and rural school districts can adapt, innovate, and thrive as artificial intelligence reshapes education. Learn how to leverage AI tools to support teaching and learning, streamline operations, and prepare students for a rapidly changing world. 

Click on the video above to listen to the second session of the 2025–2026 Governance Series with Steve Wright and Randy Erickson! These insightful discussions are free for SSDA members, and with five sessions still to come, you won’t want to miss out. Up next: Katie Kohler, Superintendent, and Cynthia McCoy, Board President of Chicago Park School District, will share about Creating Synergy Between the Superintendent and the Board President.

March 7-10 | Sheraton Grand Hotel Sacramento | Register Here!

Register Now for the 2026 SSDA Annual State Conference!
Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and grow with small and rural school district leaders from across the state. Take advantage of the early bird rate through October 31st to save on registration—prices increase after that!

Learn more and secure your spot today: 2026 SSDA State Conference

In Winters Joint Unified School District (WJUSD), a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place. This year, all staff, from teachers to administrators, from the district office to classroom aides, are working together to reimagine what it means to prepare students for the future.  

For too long, school success has been defined primarily by test scores and numbers that reflect only part of a much larger story. In Winters, the community has come together to ask a deeper question: What do our students truly need to flourish in college, career, and life?  

“Winters Joint Unified has about 1,670 students, and we are increasing enrollment. There is growth and development in the area, so that's a good thing. I think we have roughly 250 total staff, classified, certificated across the board right now. If you look on a map, it's right between Sacramento and San Francisco. About 15 minutes west of Davis,” shared Superintendent Rody Boonchouy, Ed.D.  

From Reflection to Redefinition  

WJUSD’s rethinking of success began with a simple realization: traditional indicators of progress were not telling the whole story. Despite two decades of reform, investment, and effort, achievement data across California, and locally in Winters, have remained largely flat.  

In the heart of California’s agricultural landscape, Western Yolo County, California, Esparto Unified School District (Esparto USD) has become a shining example of what can happen when a small, rural community comes together around one shared goal: supporting the whole child. This fall, Esparto Unified’s dedication to that mission earned them the Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association (CSBA) for their outstanding Community Schools program.  

The honor recognizes the district’s innovative approach to integrating academics, wellness, and family engagement, work that has fundamentally reshaped school culture and student success.  

“It isn’t done in a vacuum,” said Sherrie Vann, Esparto Unified’s Director of Educational and Community Schools. “The coordination with students, parents, staff, and administrators, that’s how it grows, and that’s how it’s become a beautiful transformation.”

Building Something Meaningful from the Ground Up  

Esparto USD serves just under 1,000 students in Western Yolo County, a close-knit community surrounded by farmland on the outskirts of Woodland and Davis. “Our economy is centered around agriculture,” Vann explained. “We’re rural, and while we’re not that far from Woodland, transportation is a real issue here. Some things that might seem accessible for other people just really aren’t for our families.” That sense of place, and of the challenges facing small, rural schools, has shaped Esparto USD’s approach to its Community Schools initiative.  

Anderson Alley Unified, a TK-12 370 student school system nestled in the bucolic town of Boonville, has recently completed a $4.7 million dollar all weather track and natural field in partnership with CalTrans Clean California Grant.

The District crossed the finish line of construction with a grand opening ceremony planned for November 21, 2025 according to Superintendent Kristin Larson-Balliet.

The $4.7 million community amenity grant for the track and field entitled “Anderson Valley Track to Health and Fitness” was originally written by the former Superintendent Louise Simson in collaboration with Chris Vetrano and was fully funded by CalTrans in October 2023 with plans working their way through DSA in Spring of 2024.   Superintendent Larson-Balliet took the helm of the District in July 2024 and brought the track to fruition with the District Office Team, Board Members, architect Don Alameida, and Rege Construction.  

The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) developed the Clean California Local Grant Program through which funds will go to local communities to beautify and improve local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers. Through the combination of adding beautification measures and art in public spaces along with the removal of litter and debris, this effort will enhance communities and improve spaces for walking and recreation. 

“The community is so grateful to the CalTrans staff for their support and collaboration on this project and the health and recreation opportunities it will create for the community.  People used to run along the foggy highway and it was a hazard. To have this amenity available is truly a unique partnership to bring recreation, safety, health, and beautification to a valley where so many are socio-economically left behind,” related Larson-Balliet, who also noted thanks for the on-going support of Congressman Jared Huffman.  

The ribbon cutting is scheduled for November 21, 2025 at 1:15 p.m. in Boonville, California.

SSDA congratulates Cold Spring Elementary School for being recognized as the top-performing school district in California by EdSource and SchoolDigger. This outstanding achievement reflects the district’s commitment to thoughtful, purposeful, and ethical integration of technology, guided by heart, human connection, and high expectations.

As questions continue about the role of Artificial Intelligence in student learning, Cold Spring’s results demonstrate that when innovation is combined with inspiration, students truly thrive. SSDA celebrates this remarkable accomplishment and the district’s dedication to ensuring every child succeeds.

PROBLEM OF PRACTICE

In small and rural schools, internet access isn’t always reliable, devices don’t always play nice, updates and licensing can create unexpected headaches, and teachers often have limited access to training or tech-savvy colleagues who can lend support. Sound familiar?

Embedding computer science (CS) education into middle school curricula is essential for preparing students to innovate and solve problems in a technology-driven world that is increasingly shaped by computer technologies (Huang & Looi, 2021) but does not require educators to learn how to teach coding or navigate software-based curriculum and platforms. This short brief introduces engaging ways that middle school educators can easily experiment with integrating foundational CS concepts into their existing lessons, across content areas, to foster STEM-CS learning through student-centered instructional strategies.

Robin Martin, the CS4NorCal Project Evaluator and Director of Educational Research and Evaluation at UC Davis, and Karen Mix, CS4NorCal Grant Co-Director, had the opportunity to present at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education Conference last week in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their presentation, “Why Not Here? Navigating the Unique Opportunities and Challenges of Rural Places to Implement Computer Science Education,” highlighted the incredible progress happening across the North State in expanding access to computer science education.

Using the CS4NorCal Implementation Dashboard, we showcased the many innovative programs, classes, and initiatives shared through the implementation survey, celebrating the creativity and commitment of rural educators who are bringing computer science learning to their students. 

The CS4NorCal team was proud to represent the North State on a national stage, sharing the inspiring work being done by educators across the region to ensure every student, regardless of zip code, has the opportunity to explore and thrive in computer science.

Join CS4NorCal in celebrating the implementation of computer science in Shasta County with a brief video highlighting the county's CS strides and sustainability. Learn more about their Steadfast Vision for Computer Science... 

Stay tuned...the (sixth and final) video on Siskiyou County will be featured in next month's newsletter.

SSDA’s 2025 Legislative Wrap-up

By Caitlin Jung, Capitol Advisors Group

With the first year of the 2025-26 Legislative Session having wrapped up and the Governor having dispensed with the bills that made it to his desk, we wanted to look back at some of the significant bills on which SSDA took a position this year, and where they ultimately ended up.

Overall, 2025 was a good legislative year for small schools, with many of the bills SSDA supported being signed into law. Below we detail the outcomes of SSDA’s position bills that made it to the Governor’s Desk.

Secure Prop 2 funding quickly and efficiently using Edapt’s AI-powered tool, now available through SSDA. This innovative solution makes drafting a Five-Year Facilities Master Plan fast, affordable, and simple.

Here's how it works: 

If you would like to join the SSDA Board Policy Program list, please email staff@ssda.org. Enrollment is handled one at a time, in the order in which requests are received. You can view an example of the board policies here.

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

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