News Releases

Lessons learned in fields like construction, architecture, agriculture, business, finance, media, and marketing to be passed on to students in preparation for college and careers

More than 350 of the top 4th-6th grade math students from the south coast participated in the annual arithmetic showdown

SBCEO congratulates the graduating Class of 2023!

SBCEO and local business partners join forces to recognize more than 100 of the county’s finest teachers, administrators, and support staff

This year’s event honors legacy and tradition while welcoming a new era of hope, resilience, and possibility 

School leaders shared insights on college & career pathways, business partnerships, enrollment trends, facilities, and how schools nurture student mental & emotional health

Ernest Righetti High School 10th-grader Samantha McDonald takes first place

Master storyteller, go-to colleague, and talented instructor turns classroom into student-focused learning communities

193 students representing 37 schools compete in friendly competition of literary wit

They’re the caring, committed, and multi-talented school staff who help keep schools running, thriving, safe, and beautiful

After battling in the courtroom all weekend, Santa Barbara County Mock Trial champions Dos Pueblos High School took home second place at the state finals, held on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Los Angeles.

First and second-place winners will advance to statewide competition

After the closely contested final round on Saturday, March 4, 2023, Dos Pueblos High School A Team was named the winner of the 40th annual Santa Barbara County Mock Trial competition, emerging victorious over San Marcos High School. Third and fourth places were awarded to Dos Pueblos High School B Team and Santa Barbara High School, respectively.

Connect with school district employers and learn about credential programs to help you start or advance your career in education

Council to advise on issues affecting schools and communities

SAVE THE DATE: Jan. 19, 2023: 5 - 6:30 pm

In a ceremony held at the Santa Barbara County Education Office during a regular meeting of the board, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown swore in County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido - following her re-election in June - and newly re-elected Board of Education members, Judy Frost, Maggi Daane, and Marybeth Carty. Congratulations and thank you for your service and leadership!

Deadline to apply is 5 p.m on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022

The ninth annual “A Salute to Teachers” gala, presented by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) and Cox Communications, took place on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Music Academy in Santa Barbara in celebration of our county’s finest TK-12 educators. The event honored the Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year, Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year, three Distinguished New Educators and three Distinguished Mentor award winners.

Results to Serve as New Baseline after Pandemic Disruptions

Calling all book lovers! The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) is hosting its Breakfast with the Authors event on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m in the SBCEO auditorium, located at 4400 Cathedral Oaks Road, Santa Barbara. Students (grades 4-12), parents, teachers, coordinators, and librarians, and community members are invited to attend.

The Club honors four individual teachers throughout the year

Winners are from the Guadalupe Union School District, Orcutt Union School District, and Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. Orcutt Union’s Timothy Romine selected by the California Department of Education as the statewide winner of the “Skilled Trades” category.

The Santa Barbara County Board Board of Education has appointed Nadra Ehrman to fill the vacant seat left by the mid-term resignation of Dr. Peter MacDougall. Ehrman will represent Trustee Area 2, which covers most of Goleta and a portion of western Santa Barbara. She will hold office until the election in November 2024, which is the remainder of MacDougall’s term.

The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) has announced the selection of three Distinguished Mentors and three Distinguished New Educators who will be honored at the ninth annual A Salute to Teachers gala in November hosted by SBCEO and founding co-sponsor, Cox Communications, with support from other generous sponsors.

During a special board meeting, MacDougall was acknowledged for his legacy of exceptional service and leadership in Santa Barbara County

The board will appoint an applicant to represent Trustee Area No. 2, covering a portion of southern Santa Barbara County

Funds to cover tuition, books, and other costs associated with becoming an early childhood education teacher

SBCEO congratulates the graduating Class of 2022! A list of the high school graduation ceremonies taking place across Santa Barbara County is included. Ceremonies may be subject to change. Please check high school websites for the latest dates, times, locations, and any guidelines for attendance.

The 37th annual Math Super Bowl competition took place outdoors at the Earl Warren Showgrounds on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. More than 300 4th-6th grade students from 30 public and private schools throughout Santa Barbara County competed.

SBCEO and local business partners join forces to recognize more than 50 of the county’s finest teachers, administrators, and support staff 

May 24, 2022 The school shooting today that killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is the latest horrifying act of violence in our country.

Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools delivers State of Education address during education-focused event hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Hendrix is a Santa Barbara County Education Office teacher for the deaf/hard of hearing, serving children from Orcutt and Santa Maria at the Ralph Dunlap Elementary School campus - one of 17 special education preschool classrooms operated by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

Four local students have earned their spot at the California State Spelling Bee after emerging victorious at the Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO). The spelling bee marks the first in-person event at SBCEO since the pandemic began in 2020.

Jan. 11, 2022
Every TK-12 Public School Student in the County to Receive a Kit

November 10. 2021
Partners in Education (Partners) is seeking volunteers to discuss their careers and, if applicable, provide a hands-on career demonstration for junior high school students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District on career exploration days. These career exploration days kicked off November 8 at Goleta Valley Junior High and continue on November 15 at La Cumbre Junior High, November 19 at La Colina Junior High, and November 29 at Santa Barbara Junior High.

September 15, 2021
Three Distinguished New Educators and three Distinguished Mentors will be honored on November 6, 2021, at the eighth annual A Salute to Teachers gala at the Music Academy of the West. Sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) and in partnership with Cox Communications and many other organizations across Santa Barbara County, this event recognizes teaching excellence and features new and mentor teachers who contribute to their students and schools in extraordinary ways.

November 1, 2021
The Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara are pleased to announce Allison Heiduk as the Rotary Club's recipient of the Teacher Recognition Award for the 2021 fall quarter. On October 29, the Rotary Club provided Heiduk with a plaque and $1,000. Heiduk is a third-grade teacher at Monte Vista Elementary School in the Hope School District, where she attended as a child. Ms. Heiduk was the 2015 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.

August 26, 2021
The Santa Barbara County Education Office invites youth, educators, parents and guardians, and professionals supporting youth to attend the second annual Youth Empowerment Summit on Wednesday, October 27, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

October 20, 2021
The eighth annual A Salute to Teachers gala on Saturday, November 6th at 5 p.m. will be livestreamed for the first time, allowing the community to participate from the safety and comfort of their homes while a small group of honorees and sponsors gather for the ceremony at the Music Academy of the West. Virtual attendees may watch via s.sbceo.org/salutestream or tinyurl.com/salutesb beginning at 5 p.m. on November 6th and participate in the live chat cheering section.

September 16, 2021
Between the 1940s and 1970s, thousands of students left high school to serve in the United States Armed Forces. During World War II, over 100,000 individuals were interned in relocation camps across the United States. Some of these veterans and internees could not finish high school or receive their diplomas due to their military service or internment. Veterans and previously interned citizens may be granted retroactive high school diplomas by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) through the Operation Recognition program.

September 7, 2021
The Santa Barbara County Education Office recognized six exceptional individuals as the 2020 and 2021 Santa Barbara County Classified School Employees of the Year. Eli Davis, Isidro Duarte, and Francisca "Kika" Perez are the 2021 honorees. Patty Lopez, Antonio Reyes, and Christie Ruelas are the 2020 honorees. The Santa Barbara County Board of Education celebrated this dedicated group of employees at its September 2, 2021, Board meeting.

National Arts in Education Week, September 13-19, recognizes the meaningful and positive impact a strong arts education program provides for students of all ages.

The Children’s Creative Project (CCP), a nonprofit program run by the Santa Barbara County Education Office, supports arts education in schools throughout the county. It continues to bring the arts to classrooms as youth engage in remote instruction

June 11, 2021
Children and Family Resource Services (CFRS), a non-profit organization under the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), is grateful for the generous grant of $100,000 from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara. These funds will provide training and support for 24 Promotores to become certified as Family Health Navigators.

June 10, 2021
The Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara are pleased to announce Staci Hendricks as the Rotary Club's recipient of the Teacher Recognition Award for the 2021 spring quarter. On May 21, the Rotary Club provided Hendricks with a plaque and $1,000. Hendricks is a resource teacher for fifth and sixth-grade students at Peabody Charter School, where she has taught for five years.

June 2, 2021
Josie Coburn has been selected as the 2022 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO). Coburn is a music and band teacher in the Orcutt Union School District, where she has taught for over eight years.

May 26, 2021
The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) is pleased to announce our ten 2021 Santa Barbara Teachers Federal Credit Union Crystal Apple Educator Award recipients who will be honored at the virtual Education Celebration on May 27, 2021.

May 17, 2021
The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival will celebrate its 35th anniversary on May 29, 30, and 31, 2021, through an online festival experience thanks to the support of generous sponsors. Festival artists will use chalk pastels to transform their pavement canvases into elaborate and vibrant compositions in their driveways. Online festival visitors can view the daily evolution of the street paintings on the festival website at iMadonnariFestival.com, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow the hashtags: #IMadonnari, #ChildrensCreative Project, #ChalkFestivalSB, #KeepOnChalking.

One hundred and forty 4-6th grade students from over 33 schools in Santa Barbara County competed in the 20th Annual Battle of the Books – online! This year’s co-champions are the Masters of the Books and the Lightning Readers and received Battle of the Books t-shirts and a book to read for next year’s competition.

Today, the Santa Barbara County Board of Education announced Alisyn Blanton, a fifth-grade teacher at Miguelito Elementary School in the Lompoc Unified School District, as the 2022 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year. As the recipient of this prestigious award, Blanton represents the county’s exceptional educators. She is eligible for the state and national Teacher of the Year recognition programs.

During the pandemic, the Children's Creative Project (CCP) continued to provide outstanding arts education through their partnerships with school districts, professional artists, and arts organizations. Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD) is one of the many districts that prioritized arts instruction.

Nineteen Remote Instruction Innovation (RII) grants have been awarded to educators countywide by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO). These new grants, funded by Cox Communications and other partners through the SBCEO Teachers Network, support local teachers in addressing the unprecedented challenges of shifting to digital classrooms and redesigning teaching and learning.

Planning for the 35th annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival on May 29, 30, and 31 is underway. At this time, it is not possible to gather in person at the Old Mission, but the spirit of this beautiful festival will be shared virtually. This year's festival will incorporate sponsored chalk drawings on driveways by artists—from young children to professionals.

May 17, 2021
The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) is pleased to name Bill Gourley and Miguel Guerra as the 2021 Marvin Melvin Career Technical Educator Award winners. Gourley teaches woodshop at Goleta Valley Junior High (GVJH) in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Guerra teaches agriculture at Righetti High School (RHS) in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District.

With increases in vaccine supply, the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) expects that all staff serving students in transitional kindergarten (TK) through twelfth grade, slightly more than 10,000 individuals, will have an opportunity to schedule a first-dose appointment before the end of March 2021.

During the week of March 1, 2021, public school districts, charter, and private school education staff in Santa Barbara County have access to approximately 1,100 vaccination appointments set aside by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in conjunction with Lompoc Valley Medical Center.

After a closely contested final on Saturday, February 27, San Marcos High School emerged the winners of the Santa Barbara County Mock Trial competition, narrowly edging out Dos Pueblos. San Marcos will represent Santa Barbara County at the virtual state competition on March 18-21.

The Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara are pleased to announce Andrea Fuentes as the Rotary Club's recipient of the Teacher Recognition Award for the winter quarter. Ms. Fuentes is a fifth-grade teacher at Cleveland Elementary School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. On February 5, the Rotary Club Zoom meeting awarded Ms. Fuentes with a plaque and $1,000 to use for her classroom.

On Saturday, November 14, 2020, from 8-11:30 a.m., authors and illustrators of children’s literature will gather with students, parents, educators, librarians, and community members for the 68h annual Breakfast with the Authors. This will be the first year of the Pajama Party Zoom Edition, which encourages participants to enjoy breakfast in their homes, in their pajamas, while logging onto Zoom to visit with authors and illustrators.

The Santa Barbara County Education Office’s Transitional Youth Services Program invites youth, educators, parents/guardians, and anyone who works with youth to attend the first annual Youth Empowerment Summit on Wednesday, October 28 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness (Behavioral Wellness), the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), and the county’s 20 school districts have been awarded a $4 million, four-year grant funded by the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC).

An uncommon coalition of healthcare and education partners from across the county is joining forces to launch MASKED AND MIGHTY, a campaign to save lives, reduce the transmission of COVID-19, reopen more businesses and schools and maintain access to vital healthcare. (English and Spanish)

Today the Santa Barbara County Board of Education named Frank Koroshec, an English teacher at San Marcos High School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, as the 2021 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.

The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival 2020 is going online this year. While we can’t be together in person at the Old Mission this year, we can share the spirit of this wonderful festival virtually.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty as to when the community can safely gather again, the Children’s Creative Project (CCP) made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020 I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival scheduled for May 23-25, 2020.

Yesterday, 160 students had the opportunity to compete in the 19th Annual Battle of the Books – online! Team #23, Where the Books Meet the Moon, earned the top honors and received t-shirts for their victory while Team #11, The Page Turners, earned the runner up spot, walking away with autographed books.

The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival will celebrate its 34th anniversary on May 23, 24, and 25, 2020, through an online festival experience thanks to support of its generous sponsors.

The Santa Barbara County Education Office is pleased to name Elizabeth Caruso as the 2021 Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year. Caruso is a music teacher at Monroe Elementary School in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

Hoy, el Gobernador Newsom anunció su expectativa de que todos los distritos escolares y las aulas escolares chárter en California ...

Today, Governor Newsom announced his expectation that all school districts and charter school classrooms in California continue with distance learning and other essential supports through the ...

Even in normal times, the first few months of a newborn's life can be both joyous and overwhelming. However, these unprecedented circumstances are affecting everyone, and can be particularly taxing for new parents.

Six teams from five public and private high schools competed in the 37th annual Mock Trial competition on Saturday at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

The annual Santa Barbara County Mock Trial competition concluded Saturday, February 29, at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

On Thursday, February 27, the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) will host the annual county spelling bee for students in grades 4-6 and grades 7-9.

Four local students will compete at the state level after winning the Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee, which was held Thursday at the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

January 27, 2020
The Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara are pleased to announce Nathan Baskett as the Rotary Club's recipient of the Teacher Recognition Award for the winter quarter...

January 23, 2020
The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) is pleased to announce the 2020 Education Job Fairs for individuals interested in working in school settings throughout Santa Barbara County...

January 13, 2020
For the 50th consecutive year, upper elementary and junior high school students from schools throughout Santa Barbara County will have the chance to meet and talk with authors and illustrators of books for youth at the annual Author-Go-Round sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office...

December 19, 2019
State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond named five Santa Barbara County schools as 2020 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education (CDE), yesterday...

November 12, 2019
The Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara are pleased to announce Mary Gaston as the Rotary Club's recipient of the Teacher Recognition Award for the fall quarter...

October 28, 2019
On Thursday, November 14, join the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) for two exciting events -- Principal for a Day, followed by Take a Future Business Leader to Lunch at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center in Santa Maria...

September 30, 2019
Join us for the 67th annual Breakfast with the Authors on Saturday, October 26 in the Auditorium of the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), 4400 Cathedral Oaks Road...

August 30, 2019
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond visited Santa Barbara County today to meet with school, district, and county office administrators as part of a gathering co-hosted by Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 13 and the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO)...

August 16, 2019
Eight exemplary educators in Santa Barbara County will be honored November 2, 2019, at the seventh annual A Salute to Teachers gala sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), Cox Communications, and other organizations, and held at the Music Academy of the West...

August 6, 2019
July 1 marked new additions and new roles for Partners in Education (Partners) board of directors, including Dr. Susan Salcido, Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, taking the helm as board president...