News & Announcements

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

12/09/2021 - Noelle Huberty, a first-grade teacher at Forestville Elementary School in Forestville Union School District, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for October 2021.

11/15/2021 - COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccines: Answering Your Questions scheduled for Nov. 16 and Nov. 17

11/04/2021 - After School Pediatric Vaccination Clinics to start Nov. 9

10/15/2021 -

10/13/2021 - Dr. Steve Herrington, Sonoma County superintendent of schools, announces retirement

10/01/2021 - County superintendent has issued the following statement in response to Gov. Newsom’s announcement of future vaccine mandates for kids:

09/28/2021 - The following article by County Superintendent Steve Herrington was published as a commentary in the Press Democrat on Sept. 26, 2021.

09/03/2021 - The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) is in the process of creating a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (Plan). The Plan identifies a range of natural hazards with the potential to significantly impact SCOE facilities as well as all of the facilities within each of the SCOE districts. The Plan provides a list of mitigation action items that will be used in the future to reduce impacts from the identified hazards.

09/02/2021 -

Welcome to National Preparedness Month, version 2021. We take time each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” This is never more important than it is today. A lot has happened in the last year and a half: pandemic, civil unrest, record-breaking wildfires, earthquakes, extreme heat events, public safety power shut offs, and now a drought. It is crucial now more than ever to ensure that our families and communities are prepared for whatever comes our way.

So, to protect your loved ones, here are 5 easy steps to be disaster ready:

08/25/2021 - This year's Spotlight on Sonoma County Schools: Building Equitable Schools serves as a call to action for schools in Sonoma County to listen to the voices and perspectives of their diverse students to ensure that their programs and curriculum are helping all students to feel safe and thrive.

08/25/2021 -

08/23/2021 - County of Sonoma and Sonoma County Office of Education Announce Local Recommendations to Mitigate COVID-19 on Campus

08/12/2021 -

As you may have heard, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on August 11 that California will require public schools to verify that workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be tested regularly. Unvaccinated workers will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing and will be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including face coverings.

08/11/2021 - On Wednesday, Aug. 11, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California will require California schools to verify that workers are fully vaccinated or be tested for COVID-19 at least once a week. This order applies to all public and private schools serving students in transitional kindergarten through grade 12. Dr. Steve Herrington, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools, responded by committing to working closely with the Sonoma County Health Officer to support schools around Sonoma County in understanding and implementing this new guidance, which is intended to add an additional layer of protection for students and staff as classes reopen.

08/09/2021 - English and Spanish-language webinars to address questions about COVID-19 vaccinations for youth and feature local pediatricians.

07/13/2021 - On Monday afternoon, July 12, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released its COVID-19 guidelines for the 2021-22 school year. These rules are meant to safely open schools for full-time in-person instruction this fall, and are expected to be reassessed by the state by Nov. 1, based on vaccination rates, virus case rates, and testing rates.

All California schools—public, charter, and private—are required to follow this state guidance as they plan for their fall reopenings.

“This guidance from the state will help schools plan for a safe and effective start to the school year,” said Steve Herrington, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools at the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE). “At the same time, some questions remain about important operational practices, such as how schools should address students who do not wear masks, and testing and quarantine policies. We hope for additional state guidance and clarification in these areas.”

06/28/2021 - Three Sonoma County teachers are being honored through the Sonoma County Teacher of the Year program (part of the California Teacher of the Year program) for their exemplary, creative, and effective work serving students and supporting families through the unprecedented challenges presented during the 2020-21 school year by the pandemic, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) announced Monday.

06/17/2021 - President Biden has declared Juneteenth, which falls on Saturday June 19, 2021, a federal holiday.  This law becomes effective immediately. Because public schools are required to observe federal holidays, SCOE offices and classes will be closed tomorrow, Friday June 18, in observance of the holiday on June 19. 

06/15/2021 - The Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma Superintendents of Schools, in collaboration with the Public Health Officers in their respective counties, on Tuesday affirmed their support for full in-person instructional programs in classrooms for all grades in the fall with the continued use of face coverings and other mitigation strategies, if indicated by state and local health authorities at the time. County superintendents are reaffirming this position that they have held for some time now as the state reopens its economy and numerous county health officers signal their support for full-time in person learning as well.

05/11/2021 - Carrie Boyce, a first-grade teacher at Bellevue Elementary School in Bellevue Union School District, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for April 2021.

05/04/2021 -

05/04/2021 -

04/20/2021 - Following is a statement by County Superintendent Steve Herrington on the Derek Chauvin trial and recent current events that resurfaced issues around racism and social justice.

04/06/2021 - Brittany Machado, a 7th/8th grade math teacher at Brook Haven Middle School in Sebastopol Union School District, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for March 2021.

04/02/2021 -

04/01/2021 -

Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) has launched a countywide campaign to build community awareness of Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3-7, and to showcase some of the exemplary teachers working in local public schools during these challenging times. The campaign is sponsored by a number of community partners, including Community First Credit Union, Exchange Bank, Redwood Empire School Insurance Group, Redwood Credit Union, Santa Rosa Junior College, and School & College Legal Services.

03/23/2021 - Following the new Centers for Disease Control guidelines about social distancing, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued updated guidance for schools on Saturday, March 20. Under these changes, schools are now allowed to set up classrooms with a minimum of three feet of distance, rather than six, between student chairs. This is intended to provide schools and districts greater flexibility and options for bringing students back to in-person instruction.

03/22/2021 - In response to new Centers for Disease Control guidelines about social distancing, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on Saturday issued their updated guidance for schools.

03/18/2021 - The following statement from County Superintendent Steve Herrington calls on all educators to stand in solidarity with the Asian American/Pacific Islander community following recent acts of violence and bigotry.

03/17/2021 - Nearly all school staff in Sonoma County have been offered the opportunity to schedule their first vaccine appointment, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) estimated Wednesday.

03/16/2021 - Carta comunitaria: el camino a seguir para las escuelas