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SMCSBA To Host County Superintendent Candidates Forum

February 27, 2018

As part of our continued efforts to increase advocacy for students and public schools, SMCBSA will host the two candidates for San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools for a candidates forum at its next general membership meeting. The forum will feature Nancy Magee and Dr. Gary Waddell, both of whom have filed to run in the June election to succeed retiring County Superintendent Anne Campbell.

The event will be held on Monday, March 5, at the College of San Mateo. All school board members, superintendents, and district/school site leaders are welcome to attend. Register here

The candidates

Each of their campaigns was asked to provide a brief bio for our attendees ahead of the Candidates Forum.

Nancy Magee

Nancy Magee

Nancy Magee is a 20-year classroom teacher, lifelong educator and advocate for youth. As Associate Superintendent, Nancy runs eight schools for the County Office of Education. Additionally, she provides leadership in the areas of safe and supportive schools including emergency response and mental health coordination, foster youth and career technical education. Nancy is a resident of Half Moon Bay. She is a fan of live music, water sports, and the great outdoors.

Gary Waddell, Ed.D.

Dr. Gary Waddell

In his 30+ year career, Dr. Gary Waddell has served at the elementary, middle, high school, and university levels as a Principal, School Counselor, Professor, and Associate Superintendent of Instruction. He is a former foster parent for children with special needs. In addition to leading countywide initiatives such as the STEAM Center, teacher/administrator training, accountability, equity and preschool initiatives, he is Past Chair of California’s statewide Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee.

SMCOE Leaders

Both Ms. Magee and Dr. Waddell are members of the current Superintendent’s Cabinet and have served with great distinction at the San Mateo County Office of Education.

Ms. Magee currently serves as Associate Superintendent, Student Services Division, which oversees all direct student service programs operated by the County Office of Education, including Special Education, Court and Community Schools, and Career Technical Education (CTE). The Division also coordinates the activities of the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), programs for Foster Youth, and special projects directly related to school-age children in the county.

Dr. Waddell serves as Deputy Superintendent, Instructional Services Division, which provides leadership and resources to San Mateo County districts and schools in the areas of curriculum and instruction, assessment, instructional technology, program improvement, new teacher induction, principal support, preschool and child care quality improvement, professional development and planning, and outdoor education.

County superintendent

Unlike what happens in local districts, San Mateo County elects rather than appoints the County Superintendent of Schools. One of the primary responsibilities of the County Superintendent is to ensure the financial and academic stability of the county’s 23 school districts which serve nearly 94,000 students. The County Superintendent also works closely with the elected County Board of Education (who are also members of SMCSBA), particularly in the oversight of school programs operated by the COE and the expulsion, charter petition, and interdistrict transfer appeals process.

Over the last several years, SMCOE has positioned itself as an invaluable resource for local districts in the area early childhood education, professional development, data analytics, environmental education, and teacher recruitment and retention. Under Anne Campbell’s leadership, the role of County Superintendent has also become an incredible voice in helping call attention to the needs of students and educators in San Mateo County and throughout the state.

We look forward to the opportunity to engage the candidates on their thoughts about the future of education in the county and how they will build upon the momentum of the last several years.

For more information about the event, click here.

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