Candidate for
Board Member; Monterey County Board of Education; Trustee Area 2

Dr. Fernando Elizondo has over 24 years of valuable experience as a classroom teacher, site and central office administrator, and 14 years as a successful District Superintendent of Schools. Recognized for his innovative team-building skills, Dr. Elizondo's award-winning leadership accomplished significant academic improvement and passage of two school bonds for the Salinas Union High School District. His astute political lobbying generated additional funds from the Statewide School Facilities Program for school construction and classroom additions, totaling over $100 million.

In 2004, upon retirement, Dr. Elizondo established a multifaceted education consulting firm. Elizondo Educational Strategies, Inc. (EES, Inc.), of which he is the President and Chief Executive Officer, provides client-focused services individually tailored to improve educational quality, and link education in strategic networking opportunities with business and education throughout California. EES, Inc. offers comprehensive seminars to school boards and district level administrators in establishing goal setting and strategic planning models.

Dr. Elizondo holds a Doctorate degree from USC, a Master's degree in Education from Baylor University, and a Bachelor's degree from California State University, Humboldt, California. Dr. Elizondo presently serves on the American Association of School Administrators Governing Board and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Association of School Administrators. He also presently serves as the Executive Director of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators.

RELATED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Successfully implemented budget strategies in school districts which eliminated budget deficits ranging from $1.2 million to $3.4 million resulting in balanced budgets and a state approved reserve.

Implemented strategic and goal setting models resulting in the elimination of classroom overcrowding and budget deficits.

Passed two school bonds totaling $89 million for the Salinas Union High School District which resulted in the renovation of Salinas high school, construction of 58 new classrooms, reconstruction and renovation of seven other schools, funding for the purchase of land for two addition schools and construction of a new middle school.

Successful lobbying which generated an additional $23.5 million from the State-wide School Facilities Program for the construction of a new middle school, two new high school classroom additions.

Implemented a curriculum management audit which resulted in mathematics and language arts benchmark testing for grades 7-12 which are aligned with the state standard. These resulted in 11 to 25 point gains in statewide test scores for students of the Salinas Union High School District.

Successfully implemented Program-based Budgeting resulting in multiyear district reserves and fiscal accountability.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Superintendent of Schools, Salinas Union High School District.
Superintendent of Schools, Mendota Unified School District.
Superintendent of Schools, El Rancho Unified School District.
Superintendent of Schools, Parlier Unified School District.
Administrator, Information and Support Services, Oxnard School District.
Principal, Santa Paula School District.
Curriculum Director, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.
Teacher, high School and middle school, Los Angeles Unified School District.
Presently an Adjunct Professor, California State University, San Jose.

ELECTED POSITION

Trustee (two terms), Ventura Community College District -Served as Board President and on the delegate assembly for the California Community College Association.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Member, Salinas Downtown Rotary.
Member, Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce.
2007 member, Monterey County Criminal Grand Jury.
Member, LULAC, Monterey Chapter.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Presently serving as a Governing Board Member for the American Association of School Administrators.

Served on the Board of Directors of the Association of California School Administrators.

Served on the California State Department of Education Commission which developed the High School Exit Examination.

Served on the Superintendent's Select Committee which met regularly with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Governor's Secretary of Education to advise on Latino educational policy.

PRESENTATIONS ON

"District Budget Processes and Implementation" at the National Institute for newly elected Latino school board members sponsored by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials ( NALEO).

"Program Based Budgeting" at National Conference of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), and at the Association of California School Administrators' (ACSA) Statewide Annual Conference.

"Implementing A Curriculum Management Audit and Strategic Planning" at the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Annual Conference, The National School Board Association (NSBA), and the Annual Conference of the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Hispanic Caucus.

EDUCATION

Doctorate: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
Master of Science: Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
Bachelor of Arts: California State University, Humboldt, Arcata, California.

HONORS AND ACADEMIC AWARDS RECEIVED

Selected: Administrator of the Year + Superintendent + ACSA Region 10.

Selected as Superintendent Mentor for first year superintendents + ACSA.

Recognized by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials for services as a Latino elected official on the Ventura County Community College Board of Trustees.