Gaby Santillan found strength in her son Michael to finish her education and renew her relationship with her own mother .

There is nothing more powerful than the love a mother has for her child .

“ When my son was born , the first thing I told him was , ‘ I ’ m going to struggle for you ,’” Gaby Santillan said . “’ I ’ m going to keep trying for you . I love you .’”

Gaby Santillan , Region 11 Every Student Succeeding Award recipient , is a devoted teenage mom to her 3-year-old son , Michael .

“ She is an amazing parent ,” said Adriana Cervantes-Gonzalez , a counselor at Mt . Whitney High School in Visalia . “ I can truly say that – such a young person herself , but very mature . She ’ s driven by Michael . He has become her purpose in life . He is who she wants to make proud .”

The State Board of Education continued its work last week to develop a new accountability system , aligning the Local Control Funding Formula , local accountability planning and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act .

In testimony before the SBE July 13 , Val Verde USD Superintendent Michael McCormick expressed favor for a system of supports and models , and cautioned about using AP math as a college readiness indicator . He delivered a T-shirt to the board that read “# LCAPworks .”

McCormick , who chairs the ACSA Urban Education Committee , joined ACSA Legislative Advocate Martha Alvarez and other members of the ACSA Governmental Relations team to advance ACSA ’ s call for a holistic approach to accountability that considers school and career readiness , access and opportunities for student learning , and paths to graduation .

The SBE heard testimony for three hours , largely focusing on parent engagement issues . Testimony was preceded by more than four hours of presentations on key elements of the new system . The board ultimately affirmed the concepts of state and local measures of progress for the new accountability system .

The board reported that in addition to scores on standardized tests in English and

See SBE , page 2

ACSA is honoring 20 Administrator of the Year Award recipients this year , and each is being profiled in EdCal leading up to the formal awards gala at the 2016 Leadership Summit in San Diego .

This week , we get to know Classified Leader of the Year Judy Miller and Human Resources Administrator of the Year Shawn Tennenbaum . These leaders represent excellence and commitment to California ’ s public education students and to their profession .

Judy Miller , director of risk management and environmental safety , Perris Union HSD

One of the unsung heroes in every school district is responsible for not only the resources for salaries , facilities and supplies , but also for the physical and emotional wellbeing of every student , teacher and staff member . This person is the district ’ s risk

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Miller

Bobbie Purify transcended a painful childhood to become a dedicated student and athlete . manager .

It ’ s a leadership role that requires unique training and designation involved with protecting the interests

ACSA ’ s Every Student Succeeding Awards program turns 20 this year . In recognition , our 21-part series on these remarkable region recipients continues in EdCal and on video at Facebook , YouTube and www . acsa . org .

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For as long as she can remember , Bobbie Purify has paved her own path in life .

“ Everything was based on my choices and my decisions ,” she said . “ I had to figure out right from wrong . I had to be more mature about things . And more responsible .”

ACSA ’ s Region 1 ESS recipient grew up in a house where her mom was not always there , and her father was out of the picture .

See SANTILLAN , page 4 See PURIFY , page 4

of the district , as well as its schools , students and staff .

For her achieve ments as director of risk management and environ mental safety for Perris Union

Tennenbaum High School District , Judy Miller has been chosen

2016 Classified Leader of the Year . Miller ’ s accomplishments are innovative and impactful . She implemented a comprehensive emergency management infrastructure , using the web-based program Hour-Zero , and supported schools through the process . She provided guidance and tools to perform effective drills , created staff and student training modules , supplied emergency equipment for all possible crises , from earthquakes to classroom lockdowns , and implemented effective communications strategies , including the use of hand-held radios .

As part of this work , she facilitated a partnership with the local sheriff ’ s department and started a site safety coordinators program to bring certificated and classified staff together to plan for emergencies .

“ I am very proud to work for a district that has allowed and supported me in constructing an emergency management infrastructure , even through the tough economic

See AWARDS , page 8

As of July 1 , former ACSA President David Brown has taken on the role of executive director of the National Association of School Superintendents , an association with which ACSA recently established a strategic alliance .

Assisting Brown will be another former ACSA President , Sonny Da Marto , superintendent of Turlock USD , who will assume the title of associate director of NASS . Former NASS executive director and founder Theresa Daem will remain with the association as a consultant .

Daem stepped down last month , stating she is proud of the great strides NASS has

PAC activism . You may have heard that there ’ s a little thing coming up in November called a presidential election . With the political climate in the nation at the forefront right now , members are asking what they can do to ensure the voice of school leaders is heard by our political leaders . ACSA ’ s PAC is working to advance our activism , but needs your help . Find out more at www . acsa . org / Advocacy .

Anaheim ECC . ACSA ’ s Every Child Counts Symposium is moving to the Anaheim Marriott , Feb . 1-3 , 2017 . Registration information for the symposium and the hotel will be posted to ACSA ’ s website by Sept . 1 . Register early to reserve your complimentary copy of the new “ Student Discipline and Related Topics Guide ,” a $ 45 value . Visit www . acsa . org / conferences .

Save the date . Oct . 28 is the date announced for the fifth annual CLEAR Mentoring Summit , once again taking place on the Fresno State campus . Join interested individuals and groups , along with mentors and protégés from various mentoring programs in the Central Valley and throughout the state . The summit provides an opportunity to network and learn from colleagues , blending CLEAR ’ s social justice activism with the impact that mentoring has on education , our partners and supporters . Look for more information and a call for proposals coming soon at http :// clearvoz . com .

Student councils . Student Board Member Symposiums will be held Sept . 14 at the Orange County Office of Education ; Sept . 27 at the Santa Clara COE ; Oct . 4 at CSBA headquarters in Sacramento ; and Oct . 17 at the Stanislaus COE . An early postmark deadline is Aug . 26 . The registration form can be found on the California Association of Student Councils website at www . casc . net . Students will receive information regarding laws impacting their roles and responsibilities . They will have the opportunity to share challenges and to formulate solutions . Training will also be offered in presentation skills and surveying student opinion .

made since 2007 in creating a network of superintendents across the country .

“ Our new strategic alliance with the ACSA affords us the capacity to advance our success to the next level and significantly further our efforts to advocate our position nationwide as education leaders ,” she said .

Brown issued a statement to current NASS members regarding the reorganization . He noted how excited he is to be a part of the NASS organization , which is dedicated to promoting the profession with the end goal of providing the best possible

See NASS , page 5