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-Editorial
Imperial County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Todd Finnell, has been selected as the 2024-2025 President-Elect of the California County Superintendents (CCSE). This prestigious role positions Dr. Finnell to play a pivotal part in shaping the future of education for California’s more than six million students.
The California County Superintendents organization serves as a critical support system for the 58 county superintendents across the state, working collectively to advocate for and promote high-quality education. As President-Elect, Dr. Finnell will collaborate with Tehama County Superintendent of Schools Richard DuVarney, who will serve as President, and Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, the Immediate Past President, on the 2024-2025 Executive Committee. Dr. Finnell is slated to assume the role of President from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Dr. Finnell has a distinguished career spanning 34 years in K-12 education. Since being elected as Imperial County Superintendent of Schools in 2014, he has brought a wealth of experience to the role. His career includes significant contributions as a classroom teacher, counselor, and administrator, alongside over two decades of service as faculty at San Diego State University, where he prepared new educators. In addition, Dr. Finnell spent four years as Vice President for Student Services, Technology, and Research at Imperial Valley College, where he was a champion for student access and equity and fostered collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutions. Earlier this year, he was one of thirty elected officials nationwide chosen to offer expertise and recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on telecommunications issues affecting various government levels.
“I am honored to serve in this new statewide role to support our kids, families, schools, and communities across the State, ensuring their educational needs are met and their voices are heard,” said Dr. Todd Finnell. “My passion for serving the needs of our families drives me, and I’ll continue to be a strong advocate for all students across California.”
In his new role, Dr. Finnell will also represent California County Superintendents on the Education Coalition, a group composed of nine statewide TK-12 education associations. This coalition provides unified positions to protect the integrity of school funding.
The organizations in the coalition include The Education Coalition includes nine key statewide organizations: the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO), the California County Superintendents, CFT, a Union of Educators and Classified Professionals, the California School Boards Association (CSBA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), the California State Parent Teachers Association (PTA), the California Teachers Association (CTA), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Karen Stapf Walters, Executive Director of California County Superintendents, expressed enthusiasm for Dr. Finnell’s appointment. “We are very excited to welcome Dr. Todd Finnell to the Executive Committee at the California County Superintendents. Strong leadership in education goes beyond the administrative role, inspiring and guiding the next generation while cultivating a community where leadership is synonymous with positive impact,” Walters stated. “Dr. Todd Finnell is a visionary leader whose dedication to education and innovation has transformed countless lives through his commitment to excellence. We look forward to utilizing his experience and passion to help guide our organization towards our goal of providing a high-quality education where all children thrive, and all communities prosper.”
The California County Superintendents organization plays a crucial role in supporting nearly six million students who enter California classrooms daily. The organization provides a framework for the 58 county superintendents to design and implement statewide programs that promote effective educational practices, offer support in various areas such as student services and fiscal accountability, and ensure that all students receive quality education.
