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Future Pathways Superintendents Unplugged

Future Pathways Superintendents Unplugged

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 Welcome to "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged", the podcast where San Diego County Superintendents have a place to unwind, unplug and share their journeys, dreams and challenges. A place and space for Superintendents to decompress, laugh, share, learn and discuss future pathways for their District, their schools and the students they serve.

Season 2 of Future Pathways is brought to you by Schools First Federal Credit Union,the largest credit union in California that has been serving school employees and their families since 1934. For more information on Schools First, please visit www.schoolsfirstfcu.org.Copyright Cloudcast
Épisodes
  • Season 4, Episode 17 | Wearing Many Hats: Small-District Leadership with Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez & Brenda Mefford

    Season 4, Episode 17 | Wearing Many Hats: Small-District Leadership with Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez & Brenda Mefford
    Apr 28 2026
    Welcome to Season 4, Episode 17 of "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged" The discussion features Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez, Superintendent of Fallbrook Union High School District, and Brenda Mefford, Chief Business Officer. They highlight the challenges and importance of a strong relationship between a Superintendent and CBO. Ilsa emphasizes the need for trust and communication, while Brenda discusses the financial pressures, particularly in special education, where costs increase but funding does not. They also touch on the importance of community support and the role of small school districts in providing necessary resources. The conversation underscores the critical role of both leaders in ensuring the District's success.Introduction of Guests and Initial ConversationDrew welcomes Ilsa Garza Gonzalez and Brenda Mefford, Chief Business Officer for Fallbrook Union High School District.Ilsa thanks Drew for inviting her and expresses her support for the show and the Classroom of the Future Foundation.Drew and Ilsa discuss the importance of supporting students and the abundance of content to share about the district.Brenda introduces herself and shares her journey from an accounting technician to the Chief Business Officer, highlighting her roles and responsibilities.Role and Responsibilities of a Chief Business OfficerBrenda explains her responsibilities, including finance, risk management, maintenance and operations, transportation, budget, interim reports, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking, bonds, nutrition services, and technology.Ilsa adds that in a small school district, the Chief Business Officer wears many hats and oversees various non-instructional and human resources aspects.Brenda shares her experience of starting as an accounting technician and progressing to her current role, emphasizing the importance of quality work and support from the superintendent.Drew and Ilsa discuss the importance of the Chief Business Officer in supporting the superintendent and the District's operations.Ilsa's Journey into Education and LeadershipIlsa shares her journey into education, starting as a clerical substitute and working in various offices, including the discipline office.She realized she didn't have the patience to be a teacher but enjoyed the accounting and business side of education.Ilsa decided to switch her major to business and obtained a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.Drew and Ilsa discuss the importance of administrative roles and the early interest Ilsa had in becoming an administrator.Building Trust and Collaboration between Superintendent and CBOIlsa emphasizes the importance of trust and communication between the superintendent and the Chief Business Officer.She shares her initial transparency about her lack of financial expertise and how Brenda helped her understand the district's financial systems.Elsa and Brenda discuss the importance of position control and the need for accurate data to make informed decisions.Drew highlights the importance of communication and trust in building a strong leadership team.Challenges of Small School DistrictsBrenda discusses the challenges of working in a small school district, including the lack of staff and the need to handle multiple responsibilities.She shares her experience of preparing reports and calculations for negotiations and the importance of having a business consultant for checks and balances.Ilsa and Brenda discuss the importance of understanding the community's needs and the challenges of providing transportation and other services.Drew emphasizes the importance of community support and the role of the superintendent in building relationships with local organizations and businesses.Special Education and Resource AllocationBrenda discusses the challenges of managing the special education budget and the increasing population of special education students.She shares the difficulties of finding paraprofessionals and the high costs of paying agencies for specialized services.Ilsa and Brenda discuss the importance of advocating for full funding of IDEA and the need for legislative action to address the funding gap.Drew highlights the public's lack of understanding about the challenges of special education and the need for better communication and awareness.Importance of Community Support and EngagementIlsa emphasizes the importance of community support and engagement in a small school district.She shares her involvement in local organizations like Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce and the benefits of community partnerships.Brenda discusses the role of the Chief Business Officer in building relationships with local businesses and organizations.Drew highlights the importance of community involvement and the impact of small gestures in building strong relationships and support for the district.Personal Reflections and Favorite TeachersDrew asks Ilsa and Brenda about their favorite teachers and the impact they had...
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    57 min
  • Season 4, Episode 16 | Brad Johnson and Jessica Spallino Discuss The Big Vision Behind The Dehesa School District & Method Sports Academy

    Season 4, Episode 16 | Brad Johnson and Jessica Spallino Discuss The Big Vision Behind The Dehesa School District & Method Sports Academy
    Apr 2 2026
    Welcome to Season 4, Episode 16 of "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged" Introduction to Future Pathways: Superintendents UnpluggedDrew Schlosberg, provides additional details about the show, including its sponsors and the mission of promoting excellence in teaching and learning.Drew introduces Brad Johnson, the Superintendent of the Dehesa School District, and Jessica Spallino, CEO of Method Schools, as the guests for the episode.Overview of Method Schools and Its MissionJessica Spallino explains that Method Schools was founded 13 years ago to provide non-traditional modalities for students who need something different from the traditional setting.The mission of Method Schools is to offer flexible and personalized learning, especially for students who struggle in traditional settings.Jessica shares her background in independent study and how it inspired her to create Method Schools, which offers a flexible online modality and a new site-based program for student athletes.The partnership between Method Schools and Dehesa School District is highlighted, with Jessica discussing the unique site-based program for student athletes.Brad Johnson's Journey into Education and SuperintendencyBrad Johnson shares his background, including his blue-collar family and siblings who struggled in traditional school settings.Brad's journey into education began when he met someone who worked at a charter school and was hired as a curriculum writer.He recounts a memorable experience with a student and his mother, which solidified his commitment to helping students on a deeper level.Brad discusses his transition from teaching to working in school business, consulting for school districts, and eventually becoming a Superintendent.Challenges and Opportunities in Educational LeadershipBrad talks about the challenges of leading a small, one-school district and the impact of COVID-19 on the district's enrollment and programs.The partnership between Dehesa School District and Method Schools is discussed, with Brad highlighting the benefits of the Sports Academy program.Jessica shares the process of creating the Sports Academy program and the initial challenges of offering in-person learning for students outside of Dehesa's boundaries.The success of the pilot program and the growth of enrollment in the Sports Academy are highlighted, with plans for future expansion.Impact of the Sports Academy on Students and FamiliesBrad and Jessica discuss the positive impact of the Sports Academy on students, including improved academic performance and increased confidence.Jessica shares her excitement about reaching students who are not traditional athletes but still benefit from the flexible learning modality.The integration of sports lessons into classroom instruction is discussed, with teachers finding creative ways to connect sports with academic subjects.The importance of a supportive family environment for students in the Sports Academy is emphasized, with families playing a crucial role in their children's success.Future Plans and Expansion for Method Schools and Tahisa School DistrictJessica outlines the future plans for Method Schools, including expanding sports offerings and recruiting more coaches and trainers.Brad discusses the challenges of managing growth and the need for additional facilities and resources to support the expanding program.The potential for partnerships with local sports teams and organizations is explored, with plans to provide high-quality athletic training to more students.The importance of maintaining a balance between traditional classroom programs and the Sports Academy is emphasized, with a focus on creating a supportive community for all students.Personal Insights and Passions of Brad and JessicaBrad shares his passion for DIY projects, particularly tiling, and his long-term goal of remodeling houses in retirement.Jessica discusses her enthusiasm for Method Schools and the joy of seeing students thrive in the Sports Academy program.The importance of personal interests and hobbies in maintaining a balanced life is highlighted, with both Brad and Jessica sharing their personal passions.The conversation concludes with a discussion on how the various organizations involved in the show can support the work of Method Schools and Dehesa School District.Thank you for unplugging and listening to Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged. Be sure to subscribe to the show and share with your colleagues! The Presenting Sponsor for Season 4 of Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged is Schools First Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California serving school employees and their families since 1934. Please learn more about Schools First Federal Credit Union by visiting https://www.schoolsfirstfcu.org/About Cloudcast Media "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and ...
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    42 min
  • Season 4, Episode 15 | Mark Burroughs and Matt Dyle Discuss Belonging, Transportation and Big Decisions

    Season 4, Episode 15 | Mark Burroughs and Matt Dyle Discuss Belonging, Transportation and Big Decisions
    Mar 31 2026
    Welcome to Season 4, Episode 15 of "Future Pathways: Superintendents UnpluggedSponsorship and Participants IntroductionDrew Schlosberg from Cloudcastcast Media introduces the show and its sponsors.Mark Burroughs, Superintendent of the San Pasqual Union School District, and Matt Doyle, Superintendent of Vista Unified School District, are introduced.Mark and Matt share their initial thoughts on their respective districts and their roles.Mark Burroughs' Journey into EducationMark Burroughs shares his journey from wanting to be a police officer or a school teacher.He worked as a probation officer for 10 years before transitioning to teaching.A pivotal moment came when he realized the impact of guiding students away from gangs.Mark emphasizes the importance of pouring into the positive and serving the community.Matt Doyle's Family Legacy in EducationMatt Doyle discusses his family's long history in education, with his parents, siblings, and in-laws being educators.He started his career in Los Angeles Unified School District and later moved to San Diego.Matt taught at various grade levels, including bilingual education, and moved through administrative roles.He highlights the importance of understanding all aspects of an educational institution before becoming a superintendent.Comparing Big and Small School DistrictsMark and Matt discuss the differences between big and small school districts.Mark highlights the responsiveness and personal connections in small districts.They share examples of collaboration between small and large districts, such as partnering for special needs students.The importance of being student-focused, regardless of district size, is emphasized.Transportation Challenges in School DistrictsMatt discusses the significant transportation needs in large districts, including busses and white fleet vehicles.He emphasizes the importance of transportation for student safety and the district's commitment to greening the fleet.Mark talks about the unique challenges of small districts, such as rural locations and limited resources.They both highlight the importance of qualified drivers and the challenges of accessing grants for transportation needs.Weather and Power OutagesMark and Matt discuss the impact of weather on small and large districts.They share experiences of power shutdowns and the challenges of operating buses in extreme conditions.The importance of maintaining power for community hubs, especially in rural areas, is emphasized.They discuss ongoing conversations with San Diego Gas and Electric to address these challenges.AI and Technology in EducationMark and Matt discuss the role of AI and technology in education.They highlight the need for critical thinking and human interaction in the classroom.Mark emphasizes the importance of using technology as a tool to enhance learning rather than a replacement for human interaction.Matt shares the district's approach to AI, focusing on its role in amplifying human efforts and maintaining a people-centric approach.Building a Sense of Belonging and ConnectionMatt discusses the importance of creating a sense of belonging and connection for students.He emphasizes the need for students to feel engaged and supported in meaningful ways.Mark shares a story about a teacher's question on managing an organization with diverse values and the importance of focusing on student needs.They both highlight the role of community and partnerships in supporting students' academic and personal growth.Final Thoughts Mark and Matt reflect on the importance of collective mission and partnerships in education.They discuss the role of financial institutions and community organizations in supporting schools.The conversation concludes with a focus on the shared goal of creating future leaders and the impact of their work.The episode ends with a thank you to the sponsors and a reminder of the importance of supporting education.Thank you for unplugging and listening to Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged. Be sure to subscribe to the show and share with your colleagues! The Presenting Sponsor for Season 4 of Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged is Schools First Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California serving school employees and their families since 1934. Please learn more about Schools First Federal Credit Union by visiting https://www.schoolsfirstfcu.org/About Cloudcast Media "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local. For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
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    54 min
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