CCSESA Executive Director, Peter Birdsall, Tenders Resignation Effective September 1, 2020

California County Superintendents Educational Services Association’s Executive Director, Peter Birdsall, tenders resignation effective September 1, 2020

April 28, 2020 — The California County Superintendents Educational Services Association’s (CCSESA) Board of Directors announced today that Peter Birdsall, CCSESA Executive Director for the past eight years, will be leaving the organization, effective September 1, 2020. For the past eighteen years, Peter has commuted to Sacramento almost daily from his home in Sonoma County. Leaving CCSESA will provide him the opportunity to pursue his passion for education policy and finance, while stepping back from the day-to-day responsibilities of managing a diverse, active statewide association.

CCSESA Board President Ted Alejandre, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, thanked Mr. Birdsall for his leadership during a period when county superintendents have been given greater responsibilities for the fiscal oversight of local districts, adapted to an entirely new education financing system, and assumed significant, new technical assistance and accountability roles in support of California’s local school districts.

“Peter’s steady hand over the past eight years is appreciated and valued by our 58 county superintendents. We wish Peter the very best and fully expect that he will continue to make important contributions to public education,” said Alejandre.
President Alejandre expressed optimism for the enhanced role that CCSESA will play under California’s statewide system of support for local school districts.

“Our board will be immediately engaged in starting the search for our future leader, who will help county superintendents continue to learn and excel in their differentiated assistance responsibilities with school districts. As the COVID-19 challenges are reminding us all, California’s education landscape is changing rapidly, and County Offices of Education, with the help of their statewide association, CCSESA, are embracing the transition to a larger instructional support role, including the building of an effective distance learning infrastructure. We are excited by the challenges and opportunities to work alongside school districts as partners in the goal of achieving successful outcomes for all students in California,” said Alejandre.

CCSESA will begin the search immediately so that a new Executive Director is in place by September 1, 2020. Information about the search for the next CCSESA Executive Director may be found at www.cacountysupts.org.