In any local educational agency there are numerous leaders. School site leaders, classified leaders, teacher leaders and central office leaders all work toward the common goal of educating California’s students. But there is one person who provides overall leadership and direction, in essence leading the leaders: the superintendent.
Superintendents set the tone, provide the vision and ensure everyone under their purview stays on track toward that ultimate goal of improving student achievement. One of the best of these is Jim Vidak, superintendent of the Tulare County Office of Education, and ACSA’s 2010 Superintendent of the Year.
It’s no wonder Vidak has reached the ultimate levels of achievement in school leadership, as he’s been an administrator since 1968. After serving six years as a classroom teacher, he began his climb through the ranks, as a principal for 10 years, then a deputy superintendent and finally in 1991 becoming county superintendent in Tulare.
He was encouraged to run for the county office by many people, including fellow educators and a longtime family friend, as well as State Sen. Rose Ann Vuich.
In addition to leading Tulare County schools, Vidak has served in numerous other leadership roles. Statewide, he has served on the ACSA Board of Directors and as president of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association. In October 2009, he was invited to present to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on the issue of ethics in American schools.
Vidak also plays numerous leadership roles on a local level. He currently serves on the boards of the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board, Fresno County Historical Society, Tulare County History of Farm Labor and Agricultural Museum Foundation and Tulare COE Foundation.
Although acknowledging there are some challenges to the superintendency, Vidak said it is most important to maintain the focus on students.
“Working with the diverse political and community groups can be a challenge,” he said. “In my conversations, I consider first and foremost what is best for our students and how decisions made will affect them.”
The flip side to challenges are the rewards to be found as an educational leader.
“I enjoy being a part of the positive growth our students experience,” Vidak said. “I also enjoy seeing our programs grow – and in turn – how our staff grows as well.”
As Tulare County superintendent, Vidak oversees more than 200 programs for 46 different school districts, plus the College of the Sequoias. He works to ensure that every single entity is focused on his simple, but essential, vision for schools: continual improvement of services for all students.
Under Vidak’s leadership the county expanded preschool offerings for low-income students through the Child Care Educational Program with 45 centers, and with the Choices After School Programs, now on 20 elementary and middle school sites and three high school sites.
Vidak also helped develop the Central Valley Education Coalition four years ago, which brings together six COEs in Central California to address issues of instruction and school operations.
Vidak has overseen the development of several unique public charter schools. La Sierra Charter Schools offers small traditional or military-style schools for middle and high school students; University Preparatory High School – located on the College of Sequoias campus – allows students to earn college credits; and Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center offers instructional support and enrichment activities for parents of home-schooled students.
One of Vidak’s biggest successes has been the Character Counts! program, implemented in 1994. The program teaches students ethical values and decision-making skills. In fact, the program has been so successful in Tulare County that it has become a national Character Counts model for school and community involvement.
“It’s a super program!” Vidak said. “We have been utilizing Character Counts! for 15 years now and have seen some fantastic results. We first used it in our Court/Community School, where it was very successful.
“We have promoted its value and today the majority of Tulare County’s school districts utilize it. We are in our final year of a four-year federal grant study which is measuring the effectiveness of the program on student academic performance, discipline and school attendance. The results we’ve seen so far are positive and promising!”
Vidak’s efforts are truly appreciated by those who work with him at the county office.
“The employees of Tulare County Office of Education know they are fortunate to work for Jim and they know he is going to treat them with fairness and respect,” said John Caudle, TCOE assistant superintendent of business service. “He has solid relationships with the bargaining units and is well respected by CSEA and CTA. Both groups know when they come to the bargaining table that Jim is going to be straightforward and honest.
“In my opinion, Jim Vidak is long overdue for consideration of this award. It would take a long letter to list all of his accomplishments and the contributions that he has made to education in Tulare County and throughout the state.”
ACSA has always played an important role in Vidak’s career. Besides his service on the state Board of Directors, Vidak has been an ACSA charter president, member of the ACSA Legislative Policy Committee and has chaired the ACSA/Tulare County School Boards Association Spring Conference. He also hosts the annual Tulare County Summer Institute with ACSA.
“I have appreciated ACSA in many ways for many years – the professional in-services, materials, networking opportunities and updates on state educational issues have been fabulous,” Vidak said.
In turn, ACSA has appreciated his service to the association, to the profession, and most of all to the students of Tulare County, and is pleased to honor him with this recognition.
“It makes me feel humble, haggard and happy, but most of all grateful,” Vidak said.