Candidate statement from Tom Armelino, running unchallenged for Superintendent of Schools:
We are in the most competitive era in the history of public education in California, with both an emphasis on higher test scores for our students and alternatives such as charter, cyber, private, and home schools. Our state ranks 47th in the nation in per-student funding while holding our students responsible for achieving some of the highest academic standards in our country. It is imperative, now more than ever, that locally and at the state and federal level we work collaboratively to continue an ongoing commitment to quality, accountable public education.
For the past four years, serving as the Shasta County Superintendent of Schools, I have worked in partnership with the Shasta County Board of Education, labor groups, school districts, community organizations, and families focused on ensuring the success of Shasta County students. Our students continue to perform above the state average and school violence is almost unheard of in Shasta County.
The Shasta County Office of Education (SCOE) has made a conscious effort to apply for local, state, and federal funding. These efforts have brought over $7 million dollars to build after-school programs and increase professional development for local educators. We have increased technological access to the K-12 high-speed network for our local schools and the Shasta County Library. The SCOE is very proud of our continued collaboration with law enforcement to develop a countywide safe school and crisis plan to help prevent and respond to a school crisis.
Due to hard work, the acquisition of a federal safe schools grant, a focus on good instruction, interventions, and providing a safe campus for students to learn, we have increased our API at Oasis Community School by over 150 points and reduced the number of behavior referrals by half.
For the past 22 years I have lived in Shasta County and served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. My son continues to receive a quality education at our local schools and my wife Beverlee has served as a teacher in Shasta County for the past 23 years. Together we are committed to public education and blessed with the opportunity to serve and live in Shasta County.
I am fortunate to once again run unopposed for a second term for the position of Shasta County Superintendent of Schools with the support of superintendents in Shasta County and many other local leaders, educators, and community members. I continue to serve on local and state boards and volunteer time working with Shasta County youth. I have a proven track record of helping children succeed while ensuring our schools maintain fiscal responsibility.
As the Shasta County Superintendent of Schools I will:
- — Serve as the voice of Education in Shasta County, addressing areas for improvement, and reminding our community the importance of education and the need for their support in the development of our youth.
- — Work collaboratively within the educational community and with local businesses, organizations, state and federal agencies, and the general public to strengthen partnerships to bring resources to our local schools.
- — Provide direct services and resources to the smaller school districts and charter schools in Shasta County to increase opportunities for student success.
- — Serve as a partner with larger school districts to provide quality training to improve student learning.
- — Partner with local schools, Head Start, and preschool providers to ensure that all four-year olds have access to quality preschools.
- — Collaborate with our local schools, colleges, and agencies to increase the opportunities for Shasta County students to attend college and achieve a four-year degree or higher.
Education is essential to the success of our youth and to our society. Each of us has a stake in our children’s dreams and struggles and together, as a community, we must all work together to ensure that this dream comes true for our children. I thank you for the opportunity to serve as the Shasta County Superintendent of Schools and pledge to be an active partner with local, state, and federal education leaders, college administrators, local agencies, businesses, teachers, and parents to identify and address the unique needs of every student we serve based on the belief that every student can and will succeed!
