News & Announcements
Press releases issued by the Sonoma County Office of Education and other news items related to Sonoma County schools are included here. Do you have questions about a story on this page or are you a member of the media seeking information for an article? Please contact Communications Director Eric Wittmershaus at communications@scoe.org or call 707-524-2620.
Parent and guardian voices sought for survey on schools, student experience in Sonoma County
01/25/2023 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) is seeking input from parents and guardians of Sonoma County public school students in this year’s YouthTruth survey, an important tool for schools and community organizations to hear directly from students, employees, and school families about their needs.
Read MoreSupporting Our Children During Stressful Times
01/13/2023 -
In this article, SCOE provides tips and resources for educators and parents on how to talk to children and support them during stressful times, including natural disasters, social unrest, and more.
Teacher of the Month: Tina Brown
01/13/2023 -
Tina Brown, a special day class teacher at Windsor’s Brooks Elementary School, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for December 2022.
Five Sonoma County Elementary Schools Named as 2023 California Distinguished Schools
01/12/2023 -
Five Sonoma County elementary schools were recently selected for the 2023 California Distinguished Schools Program.
Dr. Amie R. Carter Sworn in as County Superintendent
01/05/2023 -
An adapted excerpt of remarks Amie R. Carter, Ed.D, gave to an audience of Sonoma County Office of Education employees, supporters, friends, and family after her swearing-in as 31st Sonoma County superintendent of schools.
Superintendent-elect Seeks Further Dialogue on Equity Initiatives
12/27/2022 -
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools-elect Dr. Amie R. Carter has decided not to move ahead with the appointment of a deputy superintendent overseeing equity initiatives.
Read MoreSonoma County Office of Education Hiring Leadership to Focus on Equity
12/15/2022 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education and Dr. Adrian Palazuelos have reached a tentative agreement for Palazuelos to serve as a deputy superintendent beginning in 2023.
Teacher of the Month: Jordan Lewis

12/09/2022 -
Jordan Lewis, who teaches American government and economics at Ridgway High School, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for November 2022.
Read MoreSonoma County Office of Education Buys Residential Property in Pursuit of Housing for Educators
12/01/2022 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education will be asking the City of Santa Rosa to rezone a parcel of land the agency owns that includes the recently purchased lot to allow for construction of a high-density housing development targeted toward educators and other public employees.
Read MoreDr. Amie Carter Elected Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools
11/10/2022 -
Dr. Amie Carter holds a decisive lead in the Sonoma County superintendent of schools race.
Read MoreHigh school seniors invited to financial aid workshop Nov. 9 (English/Español)
11/01/2022 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education, in partnership with 10,000 Degrees, is inviting high school seniors from throughout Sonoma County and their families to attend a free financial aid workshop.
Read MoreState Test Score Data Show Need to Accelerate Student Learning
10/24/2022 -
New student test score data released Monday by the California Department of Education will help guide Sonoma County educators as they seek to accelerate learning and provide support to students.
Read MoreSonoma County Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Recognized for Support for Students
10/21/2022 -
The Sonoma County Board of Education and Sonoma County’s superintendent of schools have been recognized by the California School Boards Association with a prestigious Golden Bell Award for their work supporting student recovery from natural disaster traumas.
Read MoreDr. Herrington to present feasibility study on SRCS unifying or unionizing with feeder districts
09/29/2022 -
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Steven D. Herrington, Ph.D., is scheduled to present a feasibility study analyzing proposals for reorganizing Santa Rosa City Schools and its nine feeder elementary school districts on Oct. 3.
Read MoreSonoma ACSA recognizes Jesús Fernández, Sonoma County's 2022 Teacher of the Year
09/23/2022 - The Sonoma County chapter of the Association of California School Administrators recognized Jesús Fernández, Sonoma County’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, and finalist Bridget Clark at its annual kickoff event on Sept. 22.
Read MoreSCOE's John Laughlin recognized by County Superintendents for excellence in personnel administration

09/22/2022 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education is proud to announce that John Laughlin, associate superintendent of human resources, has been recognized by the California County Superintendents with its 2022 STAR award for excellence in personnel administrative services.
Read MoreStaying Safe During a Heat Wave
09/06/2022 -
Here are some safety tips and information to know with high temperatures expected over the next several days throughout California.
Read MoreA Back-to-School Message from the Sonoma County Office of Education and Sonoma County Public Health
08/12/2022 -
We are excited to see students once again for the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. About half of our public school students returned to campus on Wednesday and Thursday, and most of the rest will return next week.
Read MoreUn mensaje de regreso a clases de la Oficina de Educación y Salud Pública del Condado de Sonoma
08/12/2022 -
Estamos emocionados de ver a los estudiantes una vez más para el comienzo del año escolar 2022-23. Aproximadamente la mitad de nuestros estudiantes de escuelas públicas regresaron al campus el miércoles y jueves, y la mayoría de los demás regresará la próxima semana.
Read MoreCommunity Reminder: These Vaccines are Required to Attend School
08/08/2022 -
California state law requires several vaccinations for students entering transitional kindergarten or kindergarten, or entering public or private schools for the first time, and students may have fallen behind on immunizations during the pandemic.
Read MoreSonoma County Office of Education, County of Sonoma Public Health to hold Back-to-School Webinar
08/08/2022 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services invite the public to join a live-streamed webinar Wednesday afternoon to address community questions about COVID-19 and other public health issues as students head back to school.
Read MoreSchools to Distribute COVID Test Kits to Every Student, Staff Member
08/01/2022 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) plans to distribute this week enough COVID-19 antigen test kits to ensure every student and staff member at public, private, and charter schools can test before the first day of school.
Read MoreInformation session for school board candidates

06/28/2022 -
Community members who are interested in running for school board are invited to an informative meeting on the roles and responsibilities featuring a panel of Sonoma County school board members. The information session will be held on Tuesday, July 12 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the Sonoma County Office of Education’s Teacher Learning Center, 5340 Skylane Blvd., Santa Rosa, 95403.
Read MorePiner-Olivet District Recognized for Creativity During Distance Learning

06/15/2022 -
The Piner-Olivet Union School District recently was recognized as a recipient of the California Department of Education’s prestigious California Pivotal Practice Award Program for its approach to technology during the pandemic.
Read MoreTeacher of the Month: Vanessa Costello

06/14/2022 -
Vanessa Costello, a fourth grade teacher at McDowell Elementary School in Petaluma, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for May 2022.
Read MoreCounty Superintendent of Schools Race Likely Headed to Runoff

06/08/2022 -
Although thousands of mail-in votes have yet to be counted, the race for Sonoma County superintendent of schools is on track for a runoff election between top vote-getters Amie Carter, Ed. D., and Brad Coscarelli on Nov. 8.
Read MoreHow to Help People Affected by the Uvalde, Texas, School Shooting
05/27/2022 - Following May 24’s deadly mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, the community is in need of financial aid for victims’ families and other support for school families, staff, and the wider community.
Read MoreResources for School Families, Teachers and Administrators Following Uvalde, Texas, Shooting
05/25/2022 - In the aftermath of such a tragedy, children will inevitably have fears and questions that they look to adults to address. Parents, teachers, and school administrators may find these resources helpful.
Read MoreStatement from Superintendent Herrington on Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
05/24/2022 - My heart goes out to the families and school employees whose lives have been upended by these latest chapters in our long national story of gun violence.
Read More2022 Spelling Bee Results: Two elementary school students named top spellers in county
05/23/2022 - Seventy-four students competed in the 2022 Sonoma County Elementary ‘Virtual’ Spelling Competition hosted by the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE). This annual event brings the county’s best fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade spellers together in a competition designed to promote and acknowledge exemplary student achievement.
Read MoreTeacher of the Month: Mike Roan

05/20/2022 -
Mike Roan, the athletic director and leadership instructor at West County High School in Sebastopol, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for April 2022.
Read MoreNew Director to Lead Sonoma County Special Education Agencies
05/10/2022 - The Sonoma County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and the Sonoma County Charter SELPA are proud to announce the hiring of Elizabeth Engelken as the new Executive Director of the two agencies. Engelken will oversee the agencies’ efforts to provide targeted technical assistance, facilitate collaborative decision-making, and connect families with charter schools and districts to support students with disabilities, their families, and the staff who serve them.
Read MorePoster Campaign Recognizes Sonoma County Educators
05/06/2022 -
As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6, Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) is in the midst of a communitywide campaign to showcase some of the exemplary educators helping public school students navigate a third school year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign is sponsored by a number of community partners, including Community First Credit Union, Community Foundation Sonoma County, Exchange Bank, Redwood Empire School Insurance Group, Redwood Credit Union, Santa Rosa Junior College, and School & College Legal Services.
Read MoreCandidates for County Superintendent of Schools Outline Priorities at SCOE Forum

04/29/2022 -
The candidates for Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools staked out their priorities and philosophies for an audience of Sonoma County Office of Education employees and partner agencies at a recent candidates forum. Click here for links to video of the forum, as well as four other April campaign events.
Read MoreTeacher of the Month: Cassandra McMillen

04/26/2022 -
Cassandra “Cassie” McMillen, a physical education teacher at Technology High in Rohnert Park, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for March 2022.
Read MoreStudent Robotics Challenge Returns as In-Person Event on April 30

04/22/2022 -
Students from fourth through eighth grades will be able to test their creations at SCOE's first in-person robotics challenge since 2019.
Read MoreCelebrating Classified School Employees
04/22/2022 -
The Sonoma County finalists for the statewide Classified School Employee of the Year (CSEY) program were announced April 21 at a celebration held at the Sonoma County Office of Education. These dedicated school employees were nominated by their districts for the important roles they play in creating and maintaining positive school environments for the students of Sonoma County.
A message about COVID-19 vaccines for the 2022-23 school year
04/15/2022 -
A message for school families about COVID-19 vaccines for the 2022-23 school year from Dr. Steven D. Herrington, Sonoma County superintendent of schools
Read MoreTeacher of the Month: Travis Robbins

03/30/2022 -
Travis Robbins, middle school teacher at Village Charter School in Santa Rosa, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for February 2022.
Read MoreSuperintendent Herrington to Testify in Support of Assembly Bills on Disasters, Mental Health
03/22/2022 -
Dr. Steven D. Herrington will testify, Wednesday, March 23, in support of bills that would fund school disaster preparedness and require county offices of education to develop mental health crisis plans for responding to traumatic events.
Read MoreUnprecedented community survey response highlights needs of schools, students
03/08/2022 - Sonoma County educational leaders and partners in the nonprofit world are digging into an unprecedented amount of feedback on how our schools are meeting the needs of students, staff, and parents and guardians.
Read MoreCA mask mandate for schools expires end of the day on March 11
02/28/2022 - Governor Newsom today announced the lifting of the state’s mask mandate for public and private schools, as well as childcare centers, to take effect at the end of day on Friday, March 11. Children and school staff, regardless of vaccination status, will no longer be required to wear masks at school starting Monday, March 14.
Read MoreRecord participation in YouthTruth surveys of students, staff, parents and guardians
02/25/2022 - Overall, nearly 61,000 people took the surveys, which covered a broad array of topics including engagement, relationships, culture, belonging, college and career readiness and mental health.
Read MoreTransition Fair on March 2 will aid students with disabilities
02/24/2022 - The 14th annual Transition Fair on March 2 will provide resources to students with disabilities in middle school, high school and post-secondary programs and their families.
Read MoreTeacher of the Month: Sarah Peterson

02/22/2022 -
Sarah Peterson, a fifth-grade teacher at Sequoia Elementary School in Rincon Valley Union School District, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for January 2022.
Read MoreClarification allows up to 50 spectators at indoor school events
01/27/2022 - Beginning Thursday, January 27, indoor school events, including sports and artistic performances, can have up to 50 spectators. Masking requirements, including that spectators, staff, media and participants who are not actively exerting themselves or using their mouth to play an instrument, must remain in effect.
Read MoreLarge COVID-19 vaccination clinics planned for weekends Jan. 29-Feb. 20
01/25/2022 - Sonoma County is planning a series of four two-day vaccine clinics on weekends at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Here's how you can get your shot or booster.
Read MoreUn mensaje para los padres/tutores y la comunidad sobre las pautas y medidas de COVID
01/12/2022 -
La Oficina de Educación del Condado de Sonoma ha venido recibiendo preguntas acerca de las órdenes de salud pública y otras medidas que están siendo tomadas para ayudar a limitar la propagación del COVID-19. He aquí algunas preguntas para explicar lo que se está haciendo y por qué.
Read MoreA message to parents/guardians and community about COVID guidelines, measures
01/11/2022 -
The Sonoma County Office of Education has been fielding questions about recent public health orders and other measures being taken to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Here are some answers to explain what is being done and why.
Read MoreTeacher of the Month: Hannah Ammerman

12/16/2021 - Hannah Ammerman, a third- and fourth-grade teacher at Steele Lane Elementary School in Santa Rosa City Schools District, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for November 2021.
Read More