Three educators want to be Fresno County schools superintendent. Here’s who to vote for

Three people are running to become Fresno County’s next superintendent of schools, and each has clear passion for educating young people.

But one of them — Michele Cantwell-Copher — has a record of experience that distinguishes her. Now the assistant superintendent in charge of educational leadership and development for the Fresno County Office of Education, Cantwell-Copher can easily step into the top role when current county Superintendent Jim Yovino retires on Jan. 2, 2023.

The Bee Editorial Board recommends that voters support Cantwell-Copher to become the next county superintendent of schools.

Duties now

In her current role, Cantwell-Copher oversees programs for early childhood education, student equity and empowerment, foster and homeless youth services, integrated data, health services and more.

She also oversees the Fresno County Office of Education’s foundation, the fundraising adjunct for county schools. The monies it raises goes into supporting academic programs and events at schools countywide.

Before getting hired at county schools in 2008, Cantwell-Copher was the executive director at the State Center Community College District foundation. She oversaw its $12 million in assets.

Prior to State Center, Cantwell-Copher worked for nearly a decade at the Central Unified School District, rising to assistant superintendent. Among the responsibilities she held during her tenure at Central Unified was overseeing all elementary education. She had the chance to open Norman Liddell Elementary School and serve as its first principal.

Cantwell-Copher began her career as a teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in the Clovis Unified district.

Other candidates

Also running are:

▪ Daren Miller: He has more than 30 years of education experience, including as a teacher at Clovis, Fresno, Washington and Madera districts and Fresno City College. In 2019-20, Miller was appointed to serve out a term as a trustee on the Fresno County School Board. A Fresno native, he has also been a referee for youth football, basketball and softball leagues for three decades.

Miller wants to improve broadband access to rural schools, and would do that by enlisting the help of businesses and other groups in farming towns who also need better technology. He wants more social-emotional resources for students, and would extend early education programs.

▪ Eliseo Gamino: Gamino, a Raisin City Elementary dual-immersion teacher, is a member of the Firebaugh-Las Deltas School District board. He was among the class of nominees in 2021 for county teacher of the year.

A key issue for him is making sure all children are receiving the services and training they need. As an example, Gamino said many districts provided laptops to students during the COVID pandemic, but the children did not know how to use them.

What is the county office?

While not as well known as local school districts, the county Office of Education is significant. It has 1,500 employees, a budget of $359 million and operates programs and services for 205,500 Fresno County students across 32 school districts and more than 345 schools.

Its main task is to make sure local districts remain on solid financial ground and that they are following state and federal laws.

The county office provides career technical education for young people who want to learn a trade, rather than go to college. It is also in charge of special education programming, as well as schools for students in the juvenile justice system or those who must attend class outside of their home district. Additionally, the county office oversees education programs for migrant students.

Key goals

If elected, Cantwell-Copher wants to support more early childhood services; ensure schools are safe and providing equal resources for student health; and encourage local businesses, nonprofits and government agencies to also be involved in the task of educating young people.

“I want to be a representative for all families” in Fresno County, Cantwell-Copher told The Bee Editorial Board. There is no doubt she will succeed. The board recommends voters choose her to be the next county superintendent of schools.