Santa Maria Sun / School Scene

High school district trustee receives first-ever award for retired educators

Jack Garvin, a  trustee of the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, recently received the inaugural Retired Administrator of the Year Award from the Association of California School Administrators.

Standing tall: The accolades keep rolling in for Santa Maria High School’s FFA chapter, which was recently recognized for its community service and dedication to agriculture at the 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. FFA advisor Marc Debernardi (far left) received an honorary American FFA Degree, the top achievement within the organization. Several alumni received their degrees as well, including (from left to right) Alejandro Gonzales, Rosario Reyes, Jayme Llamas, and Jeff Klein. The students also enjoyed a sight-seeing trip to New York City. PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MARIA HIGH SCHOOL FFA

Garvin left his post as superintendent for the Orcutt Union School District about 15 years ago, but was elected to the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board in 2004. He’s currently serving his third term.

“I never expected something like this, but being an educator is all I ever wanted,” Garvin told the press in a prepared statement. “Our children are our future leaders in this country and throughout the world.”

Former high school district superintendent Doug Kimberly and Guadalupe Union High School District superintendent Ed Cora nominated Garvin for the award.

“For more than a decade, Dr. Garvin has used common sense and plain talk to make sure elected officials, staff, and the public know the reality facing SMJUHSD and the Tri-County Education Coalition that also serves Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties and represents nearly 40 districts,” officials said in the release.

He organized group discussions on the importance of reducing classroom size, dwindling state and federal funding, and the development of new schools to meet increasing demands. Garvin also took on housing and apartment developers to ensure schools received the appropriate building fees, and mentored many future leaders in education.

Last October at Santa Maria High School, Garvin planned and presented the “Haunted School House of Budget Cut Horrors.” The event took parents and other community members, including State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo), on a harrowing tour of dark, empty classrooms where there were no teachers, no students, and no books on the shelves.

“We are lucky to have such a committed educator on our team,” current high school district superintendent Mark Richardson said in the press release. “His knowledge about the educational system is invaluable.”