Classified educational leaders are essential

Classified Educational Leaders – who are they? They are employees in the education realm that encompass many, many areas. When people think of education, the first thing that comes to mind is students, then teachers, principals and superintendents.

Of course, the most important of these is students. Students become teachers, principals and superintendents themselves, and many more will become doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, bus drivers, nutritionists, executive or administrative assistants, painters, plumbers, electricians, custodians, managers, supervisors and technicians in a multitude of areas, just to name a few.

Rarely do people think of the classified educational leaders who are working behind the scenes, in significant roles in the process of the total education of students. But these leaders work together with teachers and administrators to make sure students get the support and services required to complete their education and become productive members of society.

ACSA recognizes that CELs in the state of California serve in many areas, including administrative support, business/fiscal services, confidential, custodial/grounds/plant management, facilities/construction, student nutrition, human resources/personnel, information systems/technology, instructional/student services, maintenance/operations, public information/public relations, risk management and transportation.

Just as the acronym suggests, CELs are a vital unit of the California educational system. CELs are in every classroom with direct or indirect services, in offices, in and around school sites, playgrounds, and in the neighborhoods working with teachers, school psychologists, counselors, administrators and superintendents to ensure that every student is being provided with the best possible service under the expertise of each of these individuals.

ACSA Executive Director Bob Wells said classified leaders are a vital component to the association, no less valuable than superintendents, principals, or any other educational administrator. In fact, ACSA’s power lies in its diversity.

“One of ACSA’s greatest strengths is its united representation of administrators and confidential and classified managers,” Wells said. “It makes ACSA unique among management associations and in all professional learning and advocacy efforts. United together we provide a strong voice for public education and for California’s students.”

ACSA President Toni Hyland, the association’s first classified educational leader president, said classified leaders are often overlooked in the public eye. There are no public awards programs for CELs as there are for teachers and principals.

“CELs are the unsung heroes. They work quietly behind the scenes, often without recognition or acknowledgement,” she said.

But classified staff are as important to the success of students as teachers or principals. Schools and districts simply could not function without them.

“Classified and certificated are the yin and yang in education. One cannot operate without the other,” Hyland said.

As essential players on the district or site team, classified leaders are also essential players to ACSA. Classified leaders contribute their own unique knowledge and viewpoint to the overall educational picture.

“ACSA is enriched by the inclusion of CELs as they provide additional perspective to the team,” Hyland said. As director of classified personnel for Santa Cruz City School District, Hyland is intimately aware of the importance ACSA has on classified leaders and their role within the greater educational system.

“My involvement with ACSA has provided me with a broader scope of reference,” she said. “To be an essential team member, CELs need to look outside their ‘box’ to see how their expertise fits into the big picture. ACSA provides the professional development, networking and connections that enhance one as a professional.”

Cheryl Dollar, president of ACSA’s Classified Educational Leaders Council, said it is important to remember that many educational administrators in county offices of education and school districts do not always have an education credential, yet their contributions are no less important. In fact, many classified leaders are just as highly educated as their credentialed peers. Hyland, for example, holds a Ph.D. in school administration and business administration.

“Classified educational leaders play a vital role in the success of every student,” Dollar said. “They are key components in the success of student achievement. They provide the support necessary to ensure that site administrators and teachers have resources to teach, and they provide each student an opportunity to learn in a clean and safe environment.”

Bob Price, superintendent of Empire USD and state ACSA Board member, said he simply couldn’t do his job without his assistant, Claudia Vicino, with whom he has worked for the last 12 years.

“My assistant really follows through with the behind-the-scenes work. I would be lost without her,” Price said. “I’ve always relied heavily on classified staff, not just to support my work but to help me lead.” Vicino herself is an active ACSA member, having served on the state Board of Directors. Currently, she is a delegate for Region 7. Price said her involvement in ACSA has been invaluable.

“We got back much more than we gave,” he said. “We benefited tremendously from that. She is a more confident leader and has a better understanding of her role. …She is more of a colleague than a support provider.”

Price said Vicino’s work on the ACSA Board not only gave her more confidence in her own abilities, it reinforced the idea of a “team effort” in serving students.

“She realized she had something to contribute, that she wasn’t just in the background. She had a voice. They came to value her opinion as a colleague,” he said.

Price said classified leaders’ participation in ACSA can only strengthen the team, and helps eliminate the “them vs. us” mentality between certificated and non-certificated staff.

“The old traditional lines between classified and certificated staff are so blurred they’re almost non-existent,” he said. “There is a fear you won’t be welcomed or valued, but once you take the leap you’ll realize they value your contribution.”

Don Iglesias, superintendent of San Jose USD and former ACSA president, said all classified leaders are essential for learning – from the transportation directors, who make sure kids get to school on time, to purchasing agents, who make sure the right supplies are in the classroom, to business officials, who make sure schools are financially solvent.

“There is so much focus on the classroom, but that teacher is only successful with a good supporting cast,” Igelsias said. “They are overworked and underappreciated, but the classified managers are making it happen every day.”

Another benefit of classified leaders is that they are often longtime employees who are intimately familiar with the school, district and community. This is extremely helpful when new superintendents come on board, as they can help smooth the transition.

“Many classified managers have a long history,” Iglesias said. “They are keepers of the district culture and help keep continuity when there is turnover.”

Iglesias’ assistant, Yolanda Beatty, is a good example. Having been through four previous superintendents, her familiarity with the district was essential to Iglesias when he took over the district in 2004.

“I couldn’t have done it without her,” he said.

Like any other educational leader, classified leaders often go above and beyond, and their workday extends far beyond 5 p.m. In addition to her regular duties as administrative assistant, Beatty volunteers with the district’s mentor program, giving up her lunch hours or free time after work to take high school students to baseball games and museums.

“She puts her heart and soul into the kids,” Iglesias said. “It’s not just helping me.”

Iglesias recognizes the importance of classified leaders being involved with ACSA and professional learning opportunities, and encourages other superintendents to do the same.

“The return will be tenfold on the investment for classified leaders,” he said. “Everyone needs professional development, networking and collegial contacts. It sets high expectations that we want all of our folks on the top of their game. Superintendents should make everyone feel that they’re part of a valuable team.”

CEL Council member Grace Mittleman, executive assistant in Montebello USD, contributed to this report.