Looking ahead: Shaping the future of education in the Santa Maria Valley
Looking ahead: Shaping the future of education in the Santa Maria Valley
By Susan Salcido
Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools
As Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, I have the privilege of working alongside 20 dynamic public school districts, 10 charter schools, and two top-tier community colleges. From preschool to college, public and private, Santa Barbara County offers an exceptional range of educational opportunities for its students.
As I visit campuses and connect with school communities across the county, I’m often asked about the current and future state of education. How are schools supporting student success today while preparing young people for what comes next? How are districts helping students navigate the demands of the workforce and adult life? And how are schools partnering across sectors to meet the real needs of their communities?
These questions are especially relevant in Guadalupe and the Santa Maria Valley, where a growing and diverse population, expanding campuses, and strong cross-sector partnerships are shaping how schools support students and families.
On February 24th, I hope you’ll join me at the State of Education event hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, where I’ll moderate a panel discussion with the superintendents at the helm of districts across the region: Holly Edds of Orcutt Union School District, Antonio Garcia of Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Emilio Handall of Guadalupe Union School District, and Darren McDuffie of Santa Maria-Bonita School District. The audience will also hear remarks from Dr. Kevin Walthers, president of Allan Hancock College.
Together, we will discuss how districts across the region are responding to growth and change, and how those decisions are shaping student success.
One approach you’ll hear about is the Community Schools model - a framework that intentionally integrates academics, mental health and student supports, family engagement, and community partnerships. In the Santa Maria Valley, several districts are implementing this model at scale to strengthen coordination and address barriers to learning.
This work aligns closely with recent educational investments in early literacy, universal Transitional Kindergarten, college access, and student well-being. Together, these investments are reshaping how schools support students from their earliest years through graduation and beyond.
At the county level, we look closely at many data points, but two offer a clear snapshot of how students in the Santa Maria Valley are doing: graduation rates and college-going rates. Both outperform the state average, reflecting sustained, long-term effort by educators, students, families, and community partners.
Another focus of the evening will be the way districts are intentionally connecting learning to real-world opportunities through Career Technical Education. Across Santa Barbara County, more than 12,000 high school students are currently enrolled in at least one CTE course, including more than 5,000 students in the Santa Maria Valley. This data illustrates strong, ongoing, coordinated efforts that strengthen career pathways, expand dual enrollment, and prepare students for a wide range of postsecondary options.
Our panel will also explore how schools are responding to new technologies, and looking to balance innovation with student safety, responsibility, and awareness. You’ll hear about how educators are evaluating new tools, including artificial intelligence, while setting clear expectations around screen time and cell phone use. These conversations are happening alongside a renewed focus on student well-being and school safety, strengthened through partnerships with local law enforcement and county agencies.
I invite you to join us at the State of Education as we take a closer look at where public education is headed in our region. We are eager to share highlights with our community and focus on what matters most: how we work together, how schools remain grounded
in the communities we serve, and how we center students in our decisions as we continue to shape the future of our schools.
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Susan Salcido has served as Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools since 2017, working alongside 20 public school districts, 10 charter schools, and two community colleges across Santa Barbara County to support students, families, and educators from early learning through high school and beyond.