Mission, Vision, and Values
Our Mission
SBCEO provides service and leadership to children and students, families, and educators in all public schools throughout Santa Barbara County.
Through Service and Leadership:
We provide direct classroom instruction. By operating childcare and preschools, juvenile court and community schools, and special education programs for students ages 0-22, we are here to support students directly as they learn and grow.
We connect children and families to vital community resources. By connecting children and families to resources in the community, including those we create and provide, we increase access to childcare, healthcare, and in-school and after-school supports.
We create, develop, and facilitate professional learning opportunities, teacher programs, and professional networks. By creating credential programs, developing communities of practice, and facilitating workshops in anticipation of and response to needs, we support educators with systems change and continuous learning.
We support local school districts and charter schools with their planning, operations, and fiscal integrity. By providing support to local educational agencies in critical areas such as budget approval, instructional program, emergency planning, communications, governance, payroll, and financial systems, we assist with solvency, safety, and meaningful accountability.
We advocate for funding, resources, policies, and practices on behalf of students and educators in Santa Barbara County. By seeking out grants and partnerships, we increase and enhance experiences for students, educators, pathways, and programs. At the local, state, and federal levels, we advocate for legislation, policies, and practices that make good sense.
Our Vision
We strive to create conditions for all public schools to be spaces where meaningful experiences support every learner’s academic growth, personal well-being, and ability to adapt, navigate, and shape their path forward.
Our Values
As we serve in many different capacities and leverage the strength of many different disciplines, we are guided by the same core values and principles:
We are student-centered.
The needs of children and students center our work. We are committed to ensuring that every learner has equitable access to education and opportunity. We work to ensure that all students are seen as valued members of their school community. Their diverse experiences, identities, abilities, and aspirations are seen as assets, contributing to a vibrant learning culture.
We are driven by purpose.
We passionately believe in the transformative power of public education. We execute with excellence and we are driven by our desire to make a difference.
We champion solutions.
The work we do requires tenacity, imagination, and positivity. The challenges we face are complex. We meet those challenges by digging in, working together, and finding solutions. Wherever potential needs a champion, we step in to build bridges to possibilities.
We lead by example.
We each play a role and share responsibility for the service and leadership SBCEO provides. Our commitment to educational and fiscal integrity, accountability, and stability is evident in everything that we do.
We serve our community.
We value our role as trusted community leaders and collaborators. Our interactions are grounded in integrity, respect, and responsibility. We work to establish and strengthen partnerships throughout the county, and respect the autonomy of local educational agencies and partners.
*Updated July 2025