Join us at the 2026 SSDA Annual State Conference as we celebrate the power of small districts with big impact.

Leading Smalls, Thinking Big.

Hotel Update: The Sheraton Grand Sacramento hotel room block is SOLD OUT. A discounted room block at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento is available, but it closes February 12th. After that, rates will be significantly higher.

SSDA's 2026 Annual State Conference is coming up in less than two months! It keeps getting bigger and better, and we would 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 about each one of our keynote speakers on our website here.

Get ready to tee off for the 2026 SSDA Annual State Conference TopGolf Event in Roseville, CA, on Saturday, March 7th! Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just looking for a fun way to network with fellow attendees, this event is the perfect way to kick off the conference.

Please note: You must be registered for the full conference at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento from March 8-10, 2026, to participate in this event. Register for the conference here!

📍 Location: 1700 Freedom Wy, Roseville, CA 95678
💰 $65 registration fee for school districts

Event Schedule:

⛳ Golf: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
🍽 Dinner in Sacramento at the Mix (1525 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814): 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Next Gen Math has long been a champion for SSDA and for small and rural school districts. They’ve recently upgraded to become a Principal Member of SSDA, strengthening their commitment to supporting small school district leaders.

Next Gen Math believes that every student can achieve their highest potential when teachers can quickly and seamlessly respond to standards-focused, actionable data using strategically designed resources in real time.

Learn more about Next Gen Math by clicking the image or following this link.

Discover more about each member by clicking their logo.

As we move further into the new year, I hope that 2026 is off to a strong and steady start for you and your communities. The early weeks of the year often bring both momentum and challenge, and across our small and rural school districts, I continue to be inspired by the thoughtful leadership, strong governance, and unwavering commitment to students and communities that define our work. It is this collective leadership and shared purpose that make opportunities to come together, learn from one another, and reflect on our work especially meaningful. 

One such opportunity is the 2026 SSDA Annual State Conference, taking place March 7–10 at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel. This year’s theme, Leading Smalls, Thinking Big, speaks directly to the reality of small district leadership, where vision, adaptability, and collaboration are essential. We are excited to welcome an outstanding group of keynote speakers, including Stacie Chana, Ed.D., Terrence Davis, and Roni Habib, who will bring thoughtful perspectives on leadership, innovation, and student-centered systems that resonate deeply with the work happening in our districts every day. 

I am also honored to moderate this year’s AI Fireside Chat, which will explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education. The conversation will include Josh Newman, former California State Senator; Amy Alzina, Ed.D., Superintendent & Principal of Cold Spring School District; Christian Jackson, CEO of Edapt; and Robert Bauer, Ph.D., Board Member from Portola Valley School District. This dialogue is designed to support both superintendents and board members as they consider how emerging technologies intersect with policy, instruction, and community trust in small school districts. 

Beyond the conference, SSDA remains focused on providing practical, high-impact supports that respond to the real needs of our members. Our Board Policy Program is a member-focused service created for small and rural districts, providing customized, clearly written, and legally compliant board policies maintained in partnership with the law firm Kingsley Bogard. Finalized policies are hosted on SSDA’s website with a dedicated, shareable link, promoting transparency, accessibility, and effective governance.

SSDA is seeking an experienced, visionary leader to serve as Executive Director. The ideal candidate will guide the organization’s strategic direction, strengthen partnerships with districts and policymakers, and champion the needs of small and rural school communities across California. This is a unique opportunity to make a statewide impact on education and support the professional growth of small district leaders. Learn more about the position here.

Apply for the position here: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/2169504

Deadline to Apply: Friday, February 6, 2026, by 11:55 PM PST

Last week, SSDA hosted two back-to-back E3 Forums, one in San Diego and one in Imperial County, focused on The Superintendent as the Instructional Leader. These events offered an energizing start to 2026, bringing members together to engage, empower, and elevate in their leadership roles. 

A special thank you goes to our Signature Partner, Solution Tree, for delivering an outstanding opening presentation by Superintendent Heather Friziellie at both E3 Forums.  

Her insights and guidance provided small and rural school leaders with practical, high-quality strategies tailored to their unique contexts. 

View the student presentations from both E3 Forums and the opening keynote by Heather Friziellie: Watch the San Diego recording here and watch the Imperial County recording here.

At the SSDA E3 Forum in San Diego, attendees had the pleasure of hearing from Abril Gastelum, a senior from Mountain Empire Unified School District, who presented her impressive senior project.

Abril shared her short and long-term goals of becoming a firefighter and showcased a compelling documentary she independently created. Her film features interviews with female firefighters and explores the challenges women face in the fire service, a field traditionally dominated by men.

Her presentation was a powerful example of student voice, career-connected learning, and the meaningful opportunities available to students in small and rural school districts.

Thank you to Abril Gastelum for sharing her work, and to Mountain Empire Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Patrick Keeley, and Mountain Empire High School Principal, David Rios, for fostering student leadership and creating opportunities that amplify student voices.

Watch Abril's documentary below!

The Kennedy Middle School Jazz Band brought energy and excitement to the E3 Forum in Imperial County, captivating the audience with a lively and inspiring performance.

Special recognition goes to Marco Arellano for his support in helping make the performance a standout moment of the E3 Forum.

The event also highlighted the leadership of Band Director Mr. Cesar Juarez and Principal Mr. Richard Sanchez, whose dedication to excellence in music education is evident in every note.

Watch a snippet of the jazz band below!

SSDA’s Elevat-Ed Forum for new superintendents recently visited Jamul-Dulzura Union School District to see the FranklinCovey Leader in Me program in action. The visit offered participants a firsthand look at how leadership is cultivated at Jamul Elementary School.

A special thank you goes to Superintendent Liz Bystedt for welcoming the group to the campus, and to Principal Yesenia Robinson for showcasing the school and highlighting all of the incredible work she and her team have accomplished. SSDA also extends appreciation to the teachers who guided the cohort and shared their classroom experiences.

Finally, thank you to the students who led the tour with confidence, enthusiasm, and professionalism, Remarkable qualities for elementary school learners, and a true testament to the leadership skills being developed at Jamul Elementary.

Join SSDA for an evening reception at the ACSA Superintendents’ Symposium. Enjoy drinks and light appetizers while connecting with fellow education leaders in a relaxed setting at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa. We look forward to welcoming you.

Thursday, January 29th | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa (45000 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, CA 92210)

Generously sponsored by Four Oaks Wealth Strategies, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and Persinger Architects!

Tune in to the latest podcast episode from the Cook Center for Human Connection with Superintendent/Principal, Dr. Amy Alzina, here!

In a small, rural corner of Butte County, just south of Oroville and near the Yuba County line, lies Bangor Union Elementary School District. They are proving that size does not define success. The K–8, single-school district earned the #1 CAASPP English Language Arts score in Butte County for the 2024–25 school year. They outperformed even much larger districts, including Chico Unified School District. Chico Unified has traditionally led countywide rankings.  

With about 91 students, six teachers, a dedicated support staff, and a deeply engaged community, Bangor Union achieved something remarkable. For Superintendent/Principal Scott Otis, the results were both exciting and affirming. The ranking mattered not just for its place, but for what it represents.  

“When the results were finalized, it was a strong affirmation of the instructional focus our teachers have committed to and the culture we have built around student learning,” Otis shared.  

Celebration followed quickly. Within hours of receiving confirmation, Otis visited classrooms to share the news and personally thanked teachers. He hosted an impromptu ice cream social for students and treated staff to a well-earned Taco Tuesday. He noted that the ability to respond quickly and celebrate together is one advantage of being small and nimble.  

But the success did not happen overnight.

Brief by Scott Johnson, Former Superintendent of Bangor Union Elementary School District

Bangor Union Elementary School District also earned the #1 CAASPP ELA score in Butte County in 2023. Former Superintendent Scott Johnson, now Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations at Thermalito Union Elementary School District, shared a longitudinal brief he prepared for other superintendents in the county. This resource provides valuable insights that may be especially helpful for leaders of small and rural districts.

Click the button below to view his informative brief.

By Alex MacLean, Union Democrat

Columbia Elementary students are using their creativity to help cats and dogs in need of homes through an art show that will be on display until the end of the month at the Sonora Chamber of Commerce’s offices in downtown Sonora, with an artist reception this Saturday.

The “Critters in Color” art show features artwork by Columbia Elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with pieces depicting cats and dogs that are currently available for adoption from local shelters and rescues.

“I wanted to do something that was civic-minded and could give back to the community,” Columbia Elementary art and drama teacher Rebecca Fitzwater said. “I thought giving attention to the cats and dogs and all the wonderful things the shelters are doing would be a good way to do that.”

Pioneer Union Elementary School District has faced years of extraordinary challenges, but through determination, creativity, and community support, the school is rebuilding stronger than ever. Over the past several years, the district has navigated the aftermath of the Camp Fire, the Bear Fire (which became the North Complex Fire), and the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which disrupted the community and the school.  

“It all happened at once,” Superintendent Darcy Pollak said. “The fires affected the community, COVID hit, and families were left living in temporary housing. Students had to travel long distances, sometimes 30 or 40 minutes, to attend rented classrooms in neighboring districts just to continue learning.”  

Despite these hurdles, Pioneer Union Elementary has steadily rebuilt, both physically and emotionally. Last December, newly constructed classrooms opened in Berry Creek, providing students with a safe and nurturing environment. The district also secured crucial Prop 2 funding after advocating in Sacramento for $7.1 million, enabling the construction of a second building that will house a commercial kitchen, a gym, offices, and other essential facilities.  

Securing that funding, however, was no easy task. Superintendent Pollak described the challenge of communicating to legislators why a small, rural district with fewer than 50 students needed support for major infrastructure projects. “It was nerve-wracking,” she said. “We had to explain that, even though our student population is small, the costs of rebuilding a school in this remote mountain community are high. We talked about the gym, the kitchen, the office spaces, and how essential they are for providing a safe and supportive learning environment.”  

While four sessions have already taken place, registration is still open for the final two sessions! These sessions are free for SSDA members, and we encourage superintendents and board members to participate.

Each session includes a 30-minute presentation by Randy Erickson of McDougal, Boehmer, Foley, Lyon, Mitchell & Erickson, giving attendees the opportunity to earn their FPPC Ethics Compliance Certificate.

The next session is scheduled for Monday, February 9th, from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM, beginning with a presentation from Brett McFadden and Barrett Snider on navigating your district's finances, followed by Randy Erickson’s FPPC ethics session. Watch the recordings from the past sessions here.

SSDA has launched an upgraded, member-centered Board Policy Program designed specifically for small and rural California school districts. This service goes beyond sharing templates. SSDA will customize and maintain board policies for our small school districts.

If you would like to join the SSDA Board Policy Program list, please email complete the interest form here. 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. Learn more with the PowerPoint presentation here. 

Contacts for the Board Policy Program: 

Karen Mix, Karen@ssda.org & Laissa Caraveo, Laissa@ssda.org

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: 

Learn more by watching the video below!

Capitol Advisors invites SSDA member school district leaders across California to Budget Perspectives Workshops, designed to provide a clear, in‑depth look at the Governor’s 2026‑27 budget proposal and its impact on K‑12 education.

These sessions offer practical insights on key fiscal issues, including funding formulas, legislative priorities, and strategic planning, to help districts make informed decisions for the upcoming school year. Whether you’re a superintendent, board member, or district finance professional, these workshops are a valuable opportunity to stay ahead of the state budget landscape.

This message was sent to you by the Small School Districts' Association (SSDA)

925 L Street, Suite 1185, Sacramento, CA 95814

916-750-0722, ssda.org