By: Anthony Volkar, YCOE Public Information Officer
The Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) has been recognized with one of California’s top public education honors for its leadership of the countywide ‘Roadmap to the Future’ initiative. On Wednesday evening, December 3, County Superintendent Dr. Garth Lewis and Yolo County Assessor, Clerk/Recorder, and Elections Official Jesse Salinas accepted the 2025 Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association (CSBA) during the Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in Sacramento.
The Roadmap to the Future is a countywide initiative aimed at aligning systems, strengthening collaboration, and addressing long-standing disparities affecting children, youth, and families from early childhood through adulthood. Developed through extensive community engagement, asset mapping, and a comprehensive needs assessment, the initiative provides a long-term, shared framework for improving educational, health, and economic outcomes across Yolo County.
The CSBA Golden Bell Awards celebrate outstanding public school programs across California that improve student achievement and promote innovation in education. YCOE’s award recognition comes in the category of “Addressing Gaps in Student Outcomes”, which highlights programs using data-driven strategies and community-based solutions to reduce disparities.
“This honor belongs to our entire county,” said County Superintendent Garth Lewis. “The Roadmap to the Future is a promise we made together to close persistent gaps and expand opportunity from early childhood through college and career. It reflects the dedication of youth and families, school districts, community partners, and county agencies who are aligning resources around what young people need most. We are grateful for this statewide recognition and even more determined to carry this work forward.”
“The Roadmap to the Future serves as a guide for future investments to benefit children, youth, and families in Yolo County,” stated Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs. “I’m grateful to the community leaders, educators, parents, and young people who contributed their time, perspectives, and expertise to this critical endeavor.”
In June 2021, four Yolo County leaders – Garth Lewis, Jesse Salinas, Supervisor Lucas Frerichs, and former Supervisor Jim Provenza – spearheaded an op-ed from 21 elected leaders calling for a long-term plan to address rising poverty and mental health challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Together, they convened county, city, and school district partners, securing $450,000 in collaborative funding from Yolo County, all five school districts, the four incorporated cities, and UC Berkeley to launch the initiative.
Since its official launch in April 2022, the initiative has reshaped how Yolo County approaches systems that support children, youth, and families. Today, elected officials and community leaders regularly reference the Roadmap to the Future as the county’s shared direction for supporting stronger outcomes for children and youth countywide.
“The Roadmap to the Future has fundamentally changed how Yolo County thinks about supporting children, youth, and families,” added Lewis. “YCOE is certainly not the first educational institution to conduct asset mapping or a needs assessment. However, we have embraced the uncommon but essential role of convener – bringing together education, government, and community partners around a common vision – and our county has truly rallied behind it.”
YCOE provides inspiration, leadership, support, and advocacy that ensure equity and access to high-quality education for all students in Yolo County. YCOE offers a range of programs and services to support students, educators, and schools in achieving their educational goals. Additional information can be found on the Yolo County Office of Education website at www.ycoe.org.
Pictured (from left to right):
Dr. Bettye Lusk, CSBA President;
Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Assessor, Clerk/Recorder, and Elections Officia
Dr. Garth Lewis, Yolo County Superintendent;
Dr. Debra Schade, CSBA President-elect; and
Sabrena Rodriguez, CSBA Vice President.
