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
6 days ago, Gwen Bell
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
28 days ago, Gwen Bell
From the California Department of Education (CDE):
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)
27 days ago, Gwen Bell
SSDA's 2025-26 calendar is now live!
Register & learn more about each event here!
about 1 month ago, Gwen Bell
REGISTER HERE!
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.
about 1 month ago, Gwen Bell
It's time to register for SSDA's 2026 Annual SSDA State Conference!
Early bird registration is open through October 31st!
Location: Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
Dates: March 7-10, 2026
REGISTER NOW!
about 1 month ago, Gwen Bell
The Elevat-Ed Forum for New Superintendents is a premier leadership development program tailored specifically for aspiring and early-career superintendents.
Register for the program at
https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-61309015 months ago, Gwen Bell
Join us on Zoom for the Lake Arrowhead E3 Forum from 8 AM - 1 PM!
Join here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87514524863.
Hear from our Keynote Speaker Dan Cohan about cultivating a positive school culture!
6 months ago, Gwen Bell
Today in Independence, California, SSDA had the honor of celebrating Owens Valley Unified School District and the successful completion of a one-year California Public Utilities Grant. This initiative brought WiFi to school buses and vans, allowing students to stay connected even while traveling. As part of the project, students also received new Chromebooks and technology to support their education and bridge the digital divide in rural communities.
For some students, long commutes—such as five-hour round trips to play in their basketball games—now provide valuable time to complete homework, helping them stay on track academically.
SSDA hosted a press conference today to highlight this achievement. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Rosanne Lampariello and her team for their dedication and warm welcome. Their efforts make a real difference in providing students with the tools they need to thrive.
6 months ago, Gwen Bell
Join us for the SSDA E3 Forum: Inspiring Change—a free event for district and county offices—on March 11th at Bishop Union High School or March 13th at Lake Arrowhead Resort. This dynamic forum features expert-led sessions tailored for small school districts, offering insights on student success and school culture transformation. Connect with experts, witness student innovation, and gain strategies to drive meaningful change in your district.
Register for Bishop here:
https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-6050738
Register for Lake Arrowhead here:
https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-60507397 months ago, Gwen Bell
Register today for the Re-imagining School Facilities Event from Kern County Superintendent of Schools, sponsored by SSDA!
Join us on April 25, 2025, for an insightful program designed to help school leaders navigate the challenges of school construction and access state facilities funding. Hear from expert speakers on key topics, connect with industry partners, and gain valuable resources to support your district’s facility needs.
Register Here:
https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-60696737 months ago, Gwen Bell
SSDA has updated its vision and mission!
7 months ago, Gwen Bell
Don't miss the Prop 2 Webinar this Thursday, January 23, at 9:30 AM! Join our expert panel from MGT as they walk you through a step-by-step process to calculate your modernization eligibility. This webinar is free for SSDA members!
Register at
https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-6008346.
7 months ago, Gwen Bell
Join us for a free webinar tomorrow! Combatting Chronic Absenteeism in Native Communities. This session will focus on understanding and addressing chronic absenteeism using culturally relevant strategies and best practices designed to meet the unique challenges faced by native communities.
https://ssda.wildapricot.org/event-60132837 months ago, Gwen Bell
Join us tomorrow, January 15th, at 10:30 AM for the Wildfire Disaster Relief Q&A with CDE via Zoom! This session will provide valuable insights into accessing resources to support your district, assistance for districts involved in disaster recovery efforts, and a Q&A session with Carlos Garcia and Joe Anderson from CDE's Emergency Services team. Join via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81415502895?pwd=dYLKgkI0QMg9C37MV4bwyoIT3ZUo8q.18 months ago, Gwen Bell
