ACSA board officers and staff with keynote Tyrone C. Howard at the 2025 Superintendents’ Symposium.
ACSA President Rafael Plascencia, center, during a general session at Superintendents’ Symposium.
Wheatland UHSD Superintendent Nicole Newman.
Keyes Union School District Superintendent Helio Brasil.
Carl Cohn, professor emeritus, Claremont Graduate University.
Retiring superintendents were celebrated during a luncheon.
Morgan Hill USD Superintendent Carmen Garcia.
ACSA Executive Director Edgar Zazueta, center, with superintendents Kelly Staley and Jim Cloney.
Alberto Carvalho, Cindy Marten and Edgar Zazueta.
The planning committee for the 2025 Superintendents’ Symposium.
Patti Herrera of School Services of California.
ACSA Senior Director of State and Federal Governmental Relations Iván Carrillo.
Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten spoke during a panel.
Orcutt Union School District Superintendent Holly Edds.
Supts talk courage, challenges at symposium
February 10, 2025
More than 500 superintendents gathered in Monterey from Jan. 29 to 31 to discuss key policy topics — especially the new federal government’s actions — and what’s needed to connect with students, staff, parents and school communities during tumultuous times.
Superintendents’ Symposium and its sessions featured the theme “Leading with Gratitude and Embracing Our Purpose.” In his opening remarks, ACSA Executive Director Edgar Zazueta called out the attendees’ main purpose.
“We are going to advocate for what’s right for kids, regardless of who’s in office,” he said.
The conference’s first panel addressed politics of the superintendency. Claremont Graduate University professor emeritus Carl Cohn; superintendents Nicole Newman and Carmen Garcia; and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten spoke of their unique perspectives as school leaders and the challenges they’ve had to overcome.
Politics isn’t only about relationships with federal and state governments, they said, but also about relationships with school boards, students, parents and staff.
“Politics is like going to dinner,” said panel moderator and ACSA President-elect Daryl Camp. “You’re either at the table, or you’re the meal.”
“Years ago, I said it was an impossible job,” said Cohn about the superintendency. “Now, it’s even more of an impossible job with the overlay with religious cultural wars.”
Before Wednesday’s second panel session, ACSA President Rafael Plascencia advised attendees to take 10 minutes a day for themselves and their mental wellness. Plascencia, who has made mental wellness the cornerstone of his presidency, shared the story of his brother, Moises, who died by suicide in 2022.
“Being around my ACSA family, and their support, has given me the strength to talk about it,” he said.
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“If we create a reality in our schools where young people are afraid to come to school because of deportation, shame on us.”
— Tyrone C. Howard, Keynote speaker at symposium
The afternoon panel was a question-and-answer session led by superintendents Eileen Chen (Robla Elementary School District) and Antonio Shelton (Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District). They asked experienced and former superintendents to discuss their guiding values and what kept them going in the profession.
Diann Kitamura, former superintendent of Santa Rosa City Schools, said the Tubbs Fire of 2017 that ravaged Sonoma County was overwhelming to handle as a school leader. Still, she did her best to communicate with her school community on social media regarding closures and cleanup efforts on a daily basis.
“(Then), state and federal agencies (were) tapping at my door about all the things we have to do,” she recounted. “An EdSource reporter asked me how I did it without a playbook ... and I said, ‘I deeply, deeply love my students and staff.’ Decisions are made because of my care and love for my community.”
Keynote speaker Tyrone C. Howard struck a similar chord during his session on Thursday, calling on school leaders to lead with bravery.
“In this moment, courage is needed,” he said. “If we create a reality in our schools where young people are afraid to come to school because of deportation, shame on us.”
The next day, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond assured superintendents that the California Department of Education will continue to defend the rights of students and staff.
“We want you to know we have your back,” he said.
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