Katy Sweeny — Staff reporter
LAKE COUNTY ? Wally Holbrook would work with teachers, parents and administrators to improve communication and education if he were elected Lake County superintendent of schools, he said.
Holbrook cited examples, including the lack of collaboration detailed Tuesday during a joint Lake County Board of Supervisors and Board of Education meeting.
“We need to find a way to work together on this,” Holbrook said.
Holbrook announced his candidacy for the education position Friday afternoon in Lakeport.
Superintendent Dave Geck doesn”t plan to run for reelection, he announced last month. Judy Luchsinger, who served as the superintendent of schools for 16 years in the 1980s and 90s, committed to run for the position in October.
Holbrook has a bachelor”s degree in industrial arts from Chico State and a master”s degree in education administration from Sacramento State, he said. He has been a teacher, principal and superintendent during 35 years in education.
He worked as a principal at Kelseyville Gard Street School and Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville. He was a superintendent for Kelseyville Unified School District from 1991 to 1995. From 1995 to 2000, Holbrook worked as a superintendent for Winters Joint Unified School District. He was also a superintendent for Dixon Unified School District from 2000 to 2006.
About four years ago, Holbrook moved back to Lake County and started leadership coaching, where he helps principals and superintendents manage issues as administrators.
“Working with the principals and superintendents to support them, it”s really caused me to think about the way education is,” Holbrook said.
He thinks his background as an educator would help him to be the superintendent of schools, he said.
Gary Olson, Kelseyville School Board member and Holbrook”s campaign manager, said the schools have an incredible challenge ahead because of the dwindling resources. “The office needs to be more responsible to collaborate school districts,” Olson said.
Olson said Holbrook as a leadership coach helped his district with budget cuts and general review.
“Wally”s experience tells me he”s the most qualified for the job with the continuity of his experience,” Olson said.
If Holbrook is elected, he wants to improve accountability, find ways to save money and improve communication, he said.
“We”re not gonna have extra money,” Holbrook said. “How can we do better with less? That”s our challenge.”
When he was superintendent in Dixon, it was standard practice for the board of education, the city council and the city manager to sit down and talk, Holbrook said. That standard helped solve problems pass a school bond to build a new high school.
“I think the community places a great deal of trust on education,” Holbrook said.
Holbrook thinks the most important partnership educators can build is a strong bond with parents because they get twice the time with students than teachers do, he said.
“It doesn”t cost any money to build good relationships,” Holbrook said.
Holbrook will have a public meeting 3:30 p.m. Monday at the Schoolhouse Museum at 16435 Main St. in Lower Lake.
“We want leaders, schools and districts that care about education so that every student is reached on their level,” Holbrook said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
