In today’s super-charged political climate, I strongly support leaders in education and public life who are quiet, effective leaders getting difficult jobs done. I join the many Santa Maria Valley community members and leaders who are grateful to Judy Frost for her tireless, low-key, renowned track record, working for causes that matter, and getting the difficult jobs done. Judy chairs the county board of education, an elected position, and on Nov. 8 she is on the ballot for reelection in District 5. I ask you to join your friends, neighbors, and myself in supporting Judy.
What is so remarkable is Judy’s consistent and highly successful low-key leadership style. For nearly 20 years, in many venues, Judy’s quiet, nonpartisan servant-leader approach has always put the interest of children, families, and community good first and has been a model for effective leadership. This comes at a time when our public space is filled with rancor, distortions, and personal attacks rather than working together for the common good. Instead of raising her fist in the air dramatically, with trumpets blaring, Judy has chosen to follow the working style advocated by Abraham Lincoln, “The quieter you listen the more you can hear.”
And listen she does. Her track record—spanning decades in the Santa Maria Valley, in so many public service arenas, including education, health care, the arts, philanthropy, and many more—demonstrates the effectiveness of her approach.
Albert Schweitzer once said, “The three most important ways to lead people are: by example, by example, by example.” Judy leads by example, and she is a role model for young and old alike. Reelect Judy to the Santa Barbara County board of education so she can continue to provide her vision, caring, skill, and “can do” attitude on behalf of children and families.
Bill Cirone
retired, Santa Barbara County superintendent schools
This article appears in Oct 20-27, 2022.