Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/50CwHxhJvk1zP0KexuTwJh?si=ffc07f2485064fba
Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/PBwiPc26Iyo?si=IaOoGnS3P1AjOVDC
Event Details:
- San Diego E3: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | University Club San Diego (750 B St Suite #3400, San Diego, CA 92101)
- Imperial E3: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | Imperial County Office of Education (1398 Sperber Rd, El Centro, CA 92243)
Register for San Diego here: https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-6270432
Register for Imperial here: https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-6270428
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!
Learn more & register here: https://study-tours.raiselysite.com/YoloCounty
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nXN7FdfJyIZEB3jBdjOs5?si=3b43811948a14af8
Watch & listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AiBvGIggjXg
Coming soon to Apple Podcasts!
Yuri has been interviewing all candidates running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, so stay tuned, more episodes with SPI candidates are on the way!
In our latest episode, Executive Director and host Yuri Calderon sits down with Kirk Koennecke, Superintendent and CEO of the Indian Hill Exempted Village School District in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kirk dives into his approach to reimagining public education through mission-driven leadership, meaningful community engagement, and a culture of excellence.
Listen to the episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ectBWvfXeocWr7TCNU4tv?si=edab76044e724b93
Watch and listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VG5j0oOZMUo
Coming to Apple Podcasts very soon!
Kirk will also be one of our keynote speakers at the 2026 SSDA Annual State Conference, happening March 7–10, 2026, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento.
Make sure you register to hear his keynote! Register at https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-6254070
In case you missed it, yesterday we hosted the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Candidate Forum, featuring Al Muratsuchi, Josh Newman, Anthony Rendon, and Nichelle Henderson. The forum was moderated by Louise Simson, Superintendent of Mark Twain Union School District, who did a fantastic job leading the discussion.
The candidates shared their perspectives on small and rural school districts and discussed what actions they would take to support them.
Click here to watch the full forum!
Join SSDA, CCAP, CCSA, and CSDC for Charting the Course: Navigating Charter School Authorization and Oversight on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Larry E. Reider Center in Bakersfield.
This one-day Charter Collaborative Forum is designed for small and rural districts and charter authorizers to discuss oversight standards, charter authorizations in a post–SB 414 world, and the impacts of lifting the moratorium.
Register Here: https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-6411111
Join SSDA’s E3 (Engage-Empower-Elevate) Forum, From Vision to Reality: Navigating Facilities Funding for Small and Rural Schools on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Larry E. Reider Center in Bakersfield, CA. Free for SSDA members!
Learn how small and rural districts can access and maximize facilities funding with updates from the Office of Public School Construction, insights from industry experts, and special guest Josh Newman, Former State Senator & Author of Proposition 2.
Register Here!
Join us for the SSDA E3 Forum in Redding on Oct. 3!
A one-day event for small school leaders to explore strategies that boost achievement, strengthen instructional leadership, and shape statewide CTE pathways.
🎤 Featured Speakers:
Erin Walker, CEO, NextGen Math
Jacob Carr, EdTech, Butte COE
✅ Free for SSDA members
📍 Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge
Register Here!
Join us in Santa Rosa on October 2, 2025, for an E3 Forum!
Topic: Governance & The Importance of Vision
Register Here!
Here is what a couple of participants had to say about SSDA’s 2025 Small School Superintendency Retreat this past July!
We are proud to highlight two exceptional Superintendents, Emily Pendell, M.Ed., and Kamaljit Pannu, from small and rural districts, who are advancing their professional growth and making a meaningful impact through SSDA.
Watch it here: https://youtu.be/rKVez4QmPxQ
An inspiring and powerful webinar with renowned author and speaker Ron Berger!
Ron reflected on his time as a teacher in his rural Massachusetts hometown, sharing stories that highlighted the profound impact small and rural school districts have on their students.
We hope his message leaves you energized and ready for the new school year!
Watch the recording here: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/Q0T7MO76M_nk4QZj79WZeqeRaQt387mCuyHRFnpyH_GXfeFXrJAaaxjRfTtFLWUt.SnidwS_pdZjOEL5f
The application window for the 2025 Wildfire & Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program is now open and will remain open until January 31, 2026.
Who qualifies?
School districts and County Offices of Education (COEs) within the eligible region.
A total of $10 million is available in this grant cycle.
What qualifies?
Wildfire mitigation projects
Other community resilience initiatives
Important Note:
This grant is only available for projects within the Sierra-Cascade region, covering 24 counties.
Please refer to the map below for the eligible coverage area.
Grant Details & Guidelines:
2025 Wildfire & Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program – California Grants Portal
This message is being sent only to counties included in the eligible region—please share with LEAs that qualify.
Thank you,
The Small School Districts' Association (SSDA)
It's time to register for our E3 Forum in Lake Tahoe, focused on Fiscal & Business Operations!
September 11-12, 2025
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe (3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150)
Learn more & Register here: https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-6268032
Kick-off the new school year with the right mindset and clear vision for excellence. The “Setting Standards for Excellence” webinar with internationally recognized author Ron Berger will focus on practical ways small and rural school district leaders can build a strong culture, set high expectations, and help staff and students achieve their best.
Ron Berger’s decades of experience in transforming schools highlights how a commitment to quality work, shared vision, and continuous improvement can make a meaningful difference, especially in small and rural districts where leaders juggle multiple roles and resources are often stretched.
The webinar will be held on August 7th and is free for SSDA members ($100 for non-members). This session is designed to help superintendents, principals, and site leaders start the year focused, inspired, and ready to raise the bar.
It's time to register for SSDA's 2026 Annual SSDA State Conference!
Location: Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
Dates: March 7-10, 2026
REGISTER NOW!
