News Briefs | FYI
March 10, 2025
Retiring CALSA exec honored for service to schools
Martha L. Martinez, a visionary leader in educational advocacy, is retiring after more than two decades within the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators familia and over 40 years of dedicated service to public education. Her career has spanned multiple leadership roles, including superintendent of Salinas City Elementary School District, assistant superintendent of Educational Services and senior director of District/School Leadership Services at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
Her legacy was honored during the aPODERar Symposium held Feb. 6-8, with moving speeches and widespread festivities shared alongside distinguished guests, longtime friends and colleagues.
Throughout her career, Martinez has been a tireless advocate for educational equity, leadership development and mentorship. She has garnered recognition at both the state and national levels for her outstanding leadership, including CALSA’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year for Region 4, ACSA’s 2018 Region 10 Superintendent of the Year and the California School Boards Association’s Golden Bell Award for Changing School Communities and Beyond.
Martinez’s leadership has extended well beyond CALSA. As the 2017-18 CALSA president and a founding member of the Latino Family Fund Foundation, she mentored generations of educational leaders, while advancing equity initiatives across multiple organizations. She served on numerous boards, including the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace, the California Equity Leadership Alliance and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Board of Trustees, further solidifying her commitment to inclusive leadership.
“I came to my last conference looking for inspiration, but instead, I found something even greater — reassurance,” Martinez said. “Reassurance that the future of our schools and students is in the hands of passionate, committed leaders who will continue the work we have all dedicated our lives to. Every conversation and every face I have seen during this symposium has filled me with an overwhelming sense of hope. I have always believed that we are exactly where we are meant to be — at the right place, at the right time, for the right reason, and CALSA has become that place for me. It gave me a familia, a purpose, and a community that shares a deep commitment to making a difference. Thank you for allowing me to serve.”
Martinez’s CALSA Executive Director counterpart Ofelia Ceja-Lariviere also shared heartfelt reflections during the symposium, acknowledging Martinez’s enduring compassion, strength and transformational leadership, which have left a lasting impact on CALSA and beyond.
“Martha has not only been a colleague but a mentor and dear friend,” Ceja-Lariviere said. “She is the true definition of leading with corazón and authenticity. Her leadership is unparalleled — remarkable in its depth, vision and dedication.”
CALSA Co-Executive Director Martha L. Martinez, right, is embraced by fellow Co-Executive Director Ofelia Ceja-Lariviere on stage as she is honored during her final CALSA conference on Feb. 7.
CA financial aid deadline pushed back to April 2
The California Student Aid Commission has announced it will extend the state’s financial aid priority deadline to April 2 to give California high school seniors more time to apply.
Last month, the commission moved the March 3 state financial aid priority deadline to April 2 for all students across California.
The 2025-26 financial aid application cycle began on Dec. 1, a delay of two months caused by the delays of the Better FAFSA. The reduced time for students to apply for financial aid has resulted in fewer students completing applications relative to prior years due to extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As of Feb. 9, there were 25 percent fewer California high school seniors that had applied for financial aid relative to prior years.
“Providing students and families more time is something CSAC has been working on since the start of the financial aid application cycle,” said Daisy Gonzales, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, in a news release. “Ensuring our students can access the aid they need is our highest priority, and we hope that this additional time allows every student to complete a financial aid application and make college more affordable no matter what institution of postsecondary education you enroll in.”
Gonzales approved the requests to extend the deadline by 30 days based on authority established in California Education Code 69513.2 and legislation enacted in 2024, AB 2500 (Fong), that CSAC sponsored to streamline this process.
A social media toolkit to encourage outreach to students and families about the deadline extension is available at csac.ca.gov/apr2-toolkit.
FYI
New ACSA web series looks at social justice in schools
ACSA has launched a new web series, The Critically Conscious Classroom, a thought-provoking series that unpacks power, privilege, and resistance through deep reflection, critical analysis and bold storytelling. Join hosts Tracie Noriega (ACSA senior director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Professional Learning Services) and Anthony Robinson (ACSA director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) for each live episode featuring educators, activists, and changemakers who challenge the status quo, break down systemic inequities, and explore transformative paths toward justice. Whether in classrooms or communities, this web series empowers listeners with the tools to question, disrupt and rebuild. Sign up to watch live episodes at acsa.org/ccclassroom.
ACSA members can seek advice on March 15 notices
Have questions about a March 15 notice? Before you take any action, contact the ACSA Member Assistance and Legal Support Team. Regular ACSA membership gives you access to trained and experienced Member Assistance Advocates to protect your due process rights. To receive assistance, fill out the request form at www.acsa.org/legalsupport.
Nonprofit seeks hosts for international students
UCEUS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and lifelong friendships by connecting international students with loving host families. UCEUS is currently seeking warm and inviting families to host foreign exchange students for six weeks, five months or 10 months. If you are interested, visit www.uceus.com.