The County Board of Education: the Best Kept Secret in Education

By Ron Gentry

In my area of Riverside County most of my neighbors did not know that a County Board of Education exists. With a budget of more than $232,000,000 and more than 40,000 students throughout the county it is extremely important that the citizens everywhere in the county know what this Board does and who the candidates are for this little known, but hugely important body.

It also governs the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) which administers most of the vocational training classes for high school students and adults throughout the County. The total budget for all of these operations is over $232 million dollars, which supports programs for more than 40,000 students from pre-school to adults, many thousands of whom are students who require extra care to meet their educational needs.

The County system doesn't work like local school boards that hire the local superintendents or can let them go. The County Board of Ed is the only check and balance on the elected County Superintendent. It approves his budget and his salary. However, we are fortunate to have now as Superintendent, Kenneth Young, who has an excellent background in school financial management. The County Superintendent (an elected office) and the Office of Education are the executors of educational facilities, services and educational programs throughout the County of Riverside.

I have a lot more hands on experience with County Educational programs and local educational issues than my opponent. Whether it's helping students to transition from County programs like juvenile hall or expulsion back into alternative education and drops-outs into adult school, or managing one of the best computer class programs in the Coachella Valley, I experienced all of the problems associated with both and resolved them with a great amount of success.

When Coachella Valley Unified School District went into its bankruptcy in the early 1990's, I was elected president of the teachers' union and we faced the threats and realities of layoffs or a salary decrease with unity and dignity. Soon after I was selected as the Adult School Principal, where I gained a deep understanding of issues in managing school programs on a limited budget.

The understanding gained from implementing other past programs like "Restructuring", "Right to Read" and "No Child Left Behind" has given me a lot of insight into how to best implement a new national initiative like the Common Core Standards and to avoid a lot of problems along the way.

The County Board of Education should be known for all the educational efforts that it supports throughout the County of Riverside. I will actively publicize that, as well as represent Area 6 on the Board.

Area 6 covers half the county, from Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage all the way to Blythe. I would represent the people and the students of our Area 6 with no reservations. I am not using this position as a step-stool to run for any higher office and will commit to being the best possible Board Member for Area 6 and the County.