Vision for Change

By Linda Delehunt

My vision is that the Contra Costa County Office of Education should begin a new era that is defined by its active participation and partnership with schools and districts. In so doing, the County Office will significantly enhance the educational experience for all students.

I am a fiscal conservative, and was awarded my doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2002 from the University of the Pacific. I am a member of CAL Alumni, Rotary, Toastmaster's International and I am a graduate of UC Berkeley. I have spent 38 years in California schools as a teacher, principal and district administrator. My school service also includes substantial policy work that I did in Sacramento at the California State Department of Education.

As a principal in West Contra Costa County Unified School District, I led my school's change from a turf for gangs, to a place of learning. Student test scores improved 400%. In so doing, the hallmark of my work was the many partnerships that I created with business and private groups in support of the school community.

Children and teachers should the centerpiece of education. As such, each educational entity and stakeholder needs to be primarily supportive of children and teachers. If we were to actually create such a model, resources would flow directly to children and classrooms. My vision for our County Office, as a unique entity in our state, is that it should support teaching and learning. My belief is that the County Office of Education should become an active player in the process of educating children. As Superintendent my vision is to work to make possible such a transformation.