ACSA is mourning the passing of colleague, mentor, friend and former ACSA leader William (Bill) Draa.  Draa was a teacher in Danville and at Sequoia Elementary School in Manteca, and he opened Stella Brockman Elementary School in Manteca in the early ’90s as Vice Principal.  He was at Banta Elementary School District in Banta for 17 years and served as the Superintendent for many years prior to his retirement. During his time at Banta he was an instrumental part of developing River Islands. Draa served on the FCMAT Board from June 2000 ­to January 2012 representing California County Superintendents Educational Services Association Region 6.  Draa’s service to ACSA was exemplary. He was ACSA Region 7 President in 2002-2003 and served on the ACSA State Board of Directors representing Region 7 from 2007-2010. Draa received Region 7’s Distinguished Service Award in 2000 and the Bill Ullom Award for Administrator of the Year in 2011. He served as Region 7’s Vice President of Programs from 1989-2000 and as Region 7’s representative to the State ACSA Superintendency Council from 2003-2006. He was President of ACSA San Joaquin Charter in 1996-1997. After retirement Draa was Co-President of the ACSA Retirement Charter 2017-2018 and 2019-2020, and Vice President of Leg. Action for that charter in 2018-2019.  His colleagues remember Draa as a great mentor and friend.   “Bill’s vision and commitment to make sure that students were learning and achieving at a high level made him an exceptional administrator,” said Claudia Vicino, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent at Empire Union School District. “His leadership in the education community and in ACSA was legendary.  Bill and his sidekick, Dr. Bob Price, who passed away in January 2019, were always seen together at all the ACSA functions and provided us with many laughs and great memories. He will be missed and remembered.”