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Superintendent

Meet the Superintendent

Susan Salcido

Dr. Susan Salcido has served as Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools since 2017, supporting 20 school districts and 10 charter schools, and overseeing 200 programs serving 70,000 children and youth countywide. 

During her tenure as Superintendent, Dr. Salcido has brought leadership, focus, and resources to key public education concerns, including school safety, youth mental wellness, and expansion of early care education and career and college pathways.

Dr. Salcido has championed many initiatives on behalf of Santa Barbara County’s most vulnerable children and youth, including improving the services provided to justice-involved youth and individuals with special education needs.

In 2022, she spearheaded the county’s first Student Advisory Council, an opportunity for high school students countywide to amplify their voices and share perspectives on a variety of topics affecting schools and communities.

In 2023, she organized a campaign in response to the youth fentanyl crisis, hosting a countywide panel to heighten awareness and spotlight multilingual resources for families, educators, and school staff.

Selected as Woman of the Year and Administrator of the Year, she attended public schools growing up in Santa Maria, earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from UC Santa Barbara, and her doctorate from the University of Southern California, focusing on organizational change, leadership, and student equity. 

She began her career in education as a high school English teacher and coach, and transitioned into several administrative roles including assistant principal, principal, and deputy County Superintendent. She is the parent of two public high school students and is married to a public high school educator.

Student Advisory Council

The Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Student Advisory Council is a unique opportunity for high school students throughout Santa Barbara County to share feedback, experiences, and perspectives on a variety of issues affecting schools and communities. Participating members convene for meetings led by the Superintendent covering a variety of topics throughout the school year, and also have the opportunity to present at County Board of Education meetings, accompany Dr. Salcido to school visits and other events, and learn more about the public education system. Council members serve a one-year term, coinciding with the school year.

Superintendent Salcido, SBCEO staff Elise Simmons, Anne Roundy-Harter, Anna Freedland, and Camie Barnwell, along with special guest Sen. Monique Limón, welcome the 2023-24 County Superintendent of Schools Student Advisory Council

Contact Information

Dr. Susan Salcido
County Superintendent of Schools
ssalcido@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5286

Anna Freedland
Executive Assistant to the
County Superintendent of Schools
afreedland@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5216

Arlene Sherchan
Administrative Assistant
asherchan@sbceo.org
(805) 964-4710, ext. 5285

SBCEO Communications

Watch the first Education Spotlight webinar on the youth opioid and fentanyl epidemic

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