Riverbank Unified School District trustees Elizabeth Meza and Ernest Velasco recently earned their California School Board Association (CSBA) Masters in Governance Certificate. Both have demonstrated exceptional commitment to professional development in the service of students through their completion of this program, said officials. This accomplishment signifies mastery of the roles and responsibilities of school boards and a strong understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to build and support an effective governance structure that helps produce better outcomes for students. Trustees Meza and Velasco completed the five-course sequence on June 10, 2017. They join trustee Susan Taylor and school district superintendent, Dr. Daryl Camp, in earning the Masters in Governance Certificate.
Trustees Velasco and Meza were recognized for their accomplishments at the Riverbank Unified School District school board meeting on June 20.
Trustee Meza was elected to the school board in 2009 and was re-elected in 2013. Since the school district has transitioned from at-large to trustee area election, Meza represents Area 4. Trustee Velasco was appointed to the school board in 2015 and represents Area 1.
“It’s great working with such a committed group of trustees,” stated Camp. “The governance team is focused on providing the best student learning environment with the resources that are provided. I applaud Ms. Meza for her perseverance in earning the MIG certificate and Mr. Velasco for earning the MIG certificate in his first 18 months serving on the school board.”
“This certificate symbolizes a profound commitment to learning, leadership and sound governance,” said CSBA President and MIG graduate Susan Henry. “The Masters in Governance program provides board members and superintendents with the tools, the skills, and the perspective to govern in a way that can better serve California’s students and position them for success in college, career and civic life. Continuous learning is the hallmark of an engaged individual.
“We expect our children and staff to work daily to better themselves and we applaud those trustees who exhibit similar dedication in refining the skills and practices needed to function as effect public servants.”
Since its inception in 1998, more than 3,000 board members and superintendents have participated in the highly acclaimed certification program. To receive the Masters in Governance certificate, candidates must complete 35 hours of intensive training on the role of the governance team in setting direction of the district, student learning and achievement, school finance, human resources, policy and judicial review, collective bargaining, and community relations and advocacy. CSBA is a non-profit education association representing nearly 1,000 kindergarten through 12th grade school districts and county offices of education throughout California.
