Third hopeful runs for schools chief
Elisabeth Miller, principal at Lincrest Elementary School in Yuba City, is running for Sutter County superintendent of schools — the third candidate to announce a bid for a post that was last contested in 1990.
Yuba City resident Miller, 59, said prudent fiscal management and better use of local resources are key issues in her campaign for the county post.
"I've spent the last 36 years in education," Miller said of her work as a teacher and administrator.
Her desire to assist the community led to her candidacy for the June election, she said.
"I don't have any other motive," said Miller.
The filing period to formally become a candidate begins Feb. 16.
Kathleen Hansen, 50, who was sworn in last August to the $147,220-a-year post, is also seeking election as county superintendent. Hansen was appointed in June after Jeff Holland announced his retirement. Trustees selected then-Deputy Superintendent Hansen to succeed Holland.
Yuba City resident Bill Cornelius, 56, principal and superintendent of Biggs Unified School District in Butte County, will run for the Sutter County post as well.
The county office provides instruction to nearly 9,500 students through infant programs, special education, vocational and occupational programs, outdoor science and alternative education, according to its Web site.
The Yuba City Unified School District is reviewing whether to provide its own special education classes — and end the contract with the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools Office for such instruction.
Holland, then-Sutter County superintendent, had told Yuba City Unified trustees in June that the loss of the contract with Yuba City Unified would end the county office providing special education. Holland had said he didn't believe the county Office of Education could effectively run special education if the largest school district in Sutter County withdrew and provided its own classes.
Seventy-eight percent of students served by the county program are in the Yuba City school district.
Contact Appeal reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com.
