Borba selected to lead Small School Districts’ Association The Small School Districts’ Association has announced Scott Borba, superintendent/principal of Le Grand Union Elementary School District, as its new executive director, effective July 1, 2026. With more than 20 years of experience in small, rural, and high-needs school districts, Borba demonstrates a proven record of advocacy, collaboration, and student-centered leadership at the local, state, and national levels.

Borba currently leads the Le Grand Union Elementary School District, a single-school K–8 district serving a rural agricultural community. During his tenure, he has strengthened fiscal stability while increasing certificated and classified salaries by nearly 25 percent, implemented systems that significantly reduced discipline referrals, and expanded opportunities for students through innovative programs such as coding, robotics, esports, and computer science.

Borba shared his enthusiasm for leading the organization and continuing to advocate for small and rural school districts across California.

“I’m honored to lead SSDA and excited to work alongside our members, our board, and our education partners to strengthen our collective voice, expand opportunities for connection and learning, and ensure small districts are heard loud and clear in Sacramento,” said Borba, in a news release. “Small districts do big things for kids. Our leaders wear many hats, solve problems creatively, and show up every day for their communities. SSDA exists to champion that work, and I’m humbled and honored to serve the leaders who make California’s small schools extraordinary.”

Borba has also held leadership positions in statewide and national organizations, including ACSA and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), where he has advocated for policies supporting students and educators in small and rural communities.

In addition to his leadership roles, Borba is the author of “The Leader You’re Not…and Why It’s Just as Important as the Leader You Are.” Borba was recognized as Superintendent/Principal of the Year by ACSA in 2021 and as California’s National Distinguished Principal by the NAESP in 2017. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at CSU Stanislaus, where he teaches graduate courses in educational leadership, school law, and school finance.

Toolkit helps increase awareness of UPK Families across the state now have a new resource to help them understand and access early learning programs. Whether they work directly with families or connect with the organizations that do, school staff play a vital role in making sure they find it. A free, ready-to-use toolkit is now live on the newly updated UPK website (cauniversalprek.org) with everything needed to start the conversation. The toolkit contains:

• Flyers and posters.
• Parent testimonial videos and clips.
• Email and newsletter templates.
• Talking points and key messages.
• Translated materials for diverse communities.

This toolkit is part of a broader statewide awareness campaign. Over the coming weeks, families across California will begin seeing paid social media ads and public service announcements about early learning programs. Share these resources with partners and reshare. Every connection brings another family closer to the support their child deserves. Access the toolkit at cauniversalprek.org/promo-materials.