SSDA Soundwave Podcast

On this episode of the SSDA Soundwave, host Yuri Calderon speaks with Kirk Koennecke, superintendent of the Indian Hill Exempted School District in Ohio and the 2023 National Superintendent of the Year. Kirk shares his approach to reimagining public education through mission-driven leadership, community engagement, and a culture rooted in excellence. He reflects on his district’s work to create an actionable strategic plan grounded in student, staff, and community voice, and explains why leaders at every level need a clear vision to align their work and guide their decisions. Kirk also talks about the growing movement toward defining a profile of a graduate, the importance of ongoing reflection, and the power of aspirational thinking in helping districts move forward.Kirk and Yuri dive into leadership development, coaching, the Four Essential Roles model, and the mindset shifts that help superintendents and principals create the conditions for people to thrive. They discuss the value of listening, empowering others, building trust, and modeling high standards so that excellence becomes a consistent expectation across the district. Kirk also shares insights on culture building, community engagement, and the importance of keeping students at the center of every strategic decision. This episode offers practical, energizing guidance for education leaders who want to elevate their influence and strengthen the future of their schools.

On this episode of the SSDA Soundwave, host Yuri Calderon speaks with Lindsay K. Moore, Partner at Kingsley Bogard, a leading California education law firm serving small and rural districts. Lindsay breaks down the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case centered on whether parents may opt their children out of classroom instruction that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs. She explains why the ruling is highly fact specific, how the Court distinguished between direct instruction and books that are merely available in a classroom or library, and why the age and impressionability of students played a significant role in the Court’s reasoning.Lindsay also discusses how districts can respond to opt-out requests while maintaining instructional continuity, the practical challenges for teachers, and the broader implications for curriculum and policy in California. She and Yuri explore the tension between federal decisions and California’s inclusive education laws, the likelihood of new guidance or legislation, and what small and rural district leaders should be doing now to prepare. This episode offers clear, timely insight into an evolving issue that is already affecting classrooms across the state.

On this episode of the SSDA Soundwave, host Yuri Calderon sits down with Nichelle Henderson, educator, mentor, community college trustee, and candidate for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. With nearly three decades in California classrooms and teacher preparation, Nichelle talks about the need to rethink how the state approaches student success, teacher support, and statewide accountability. She reflects on her 58-county tour and what she is learning about rural schools, the disconnect between legislative intentions and real classroom needs, and why standardized testing must be redesigned so teachers can actually teach and students can demonstrate what they truly know.Nichelle also discusses the importance of equitable funding, the flexibility districts need to meet local needs, and how CDE must shift from a compliance culture to one centered on collaboration and responsiveness. She shares her vision for bringing rural voices into decision making, creating individualized pathways for students, modernizing the LCF formula to support geographically isolated districts, and ensuring that every community has a seat at the table. Her conversation with Yuri offers a candid look at what it means to lead with authenticity, listen deeply, and pursue meaningful change for all California students.

On this episode of the SSDA Soundwave, host Yuri Calderon talks with Michael Riemenschneider and Shin Green from EastShore Consulting about what small and rural districts need to know as they prepare for Proposition 2. Michael and Shin break down the basics of general obligation bonds, how tax bases and voter approval interact, and why market conditions and interest rates matter so much when districts begin planning for their state match. They also discuss the current uncertainty in the national economy, how it influences borrowing costs, and what districts can expect moving into next year as the small school set aside opens.The conversation highlights the importance of early planning, the challenge of limited staffing in rural communities, and why districts need a full year of outreach before pursuing a bond measure. Michael and Shin also walk through the major changes coming with Proposition 2, including simplified applications, access to planning funds before architectural plans are complete, and expanded hardship eligibility that now allows about one hundred additional small districts to receive both the state and local match. Their insights offer clear and practical guidance for leaders preparing to modernize and strengthen their school facilities.

On this episode of the SSDA Soundwave, host Yuri Calderon talks with Richard Barrera, longtime trustee for San Diego Unified and candidate for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Richard reflects on his years in education and community leadership and shares his vision for addressing the deep disparities facing small and rural districts. The discussion explores facilities inequities, the limits of local tax bases, the challenges of ADA-based funding models, and the heavy reporting burdens placed on districts with limited staff. Richard also explains how CDE can become a more responsive partner, how differentiated assistance should evolve, and why the state must build stronger pathways that allow students to return home and teach in their own communities.

On this episode of the SSDA Soundwave, host Yuri Calderon sits down with Josh Newman, former State Senator, past Chair of the Senate Education Committee, and current candidate for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Their conversation explores the challenges small and rural districts face in a system that often treats them the same as large urban schools, despite vastly different needs. Josh reflects on the growing weight of bureaucracy, the struggle for equitable funding, the need to rethink LCFF, and the importance of defining a clear statewide profile of a graduate. He also shares why he believes CDE must evolve into a more collaborative and supportive partner for districts across the state and explains the single measure he hopes superintendents will use to evaluate his success if elected.

Welcome to the SSDA Soundwave Podcast! In this second episode, we highlight key stories and updates from SSDA’s October 2025 newsletter. Tune in to hear what’s happening across California’s small and rural school districts, including updates from SSDA, member spotlights, and more. Listen now and stay connected!

In this debut episode, SSDA Executive Director Yuri Calderon and SSDA Senior Communications Specialist Gwen Bell break down the September Newsletter, sharing key legislative updates, stories from small and rural schools, and the valuable resources SSDA provides.