Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) Superintendent Clara Finneran has been named Region 13 Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).
ACSA is California’s statewide organization dedicated to advocating for the best interests of students and to develop, empower and inspire equity-minded educational leaders.
ACSA acknowledges superintendents who demonstrate a commitment to: an equitable education system and to meeting the diverse needs of all students and school communities; exceptional leadership in implementing, managing and supporting school programs; educational quality and student achievement; professional growth, ethics and innovation; and, nurturing and sustaining a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Finneran has served as LUSD superintendent just over two years, but in that relatively short tenure, she has had a significant impact across the district and Lompoc Valley, LUSD said.
Examples of LUSD accomplishments under her leadership include:
Steady Academic Progress: LUSD’s 2024 annual state assessment results show steady progress across the District’s 16 schools and nearly 9,000 students, a majority of whom come from historically underserved communities.
From 2023-24, six schools showed improvement in English language arts, seven schools showed improvement in mathematics, and seven schools showed improvement in science. This includes seven schools exiting the State’s Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) program in 2024, with one remaining school needing additional support.
Additionally, 49.4% of the district’s 15% English learner students demonstrated proficiency in English, representing a 4.5% gain over 2023, and surpassing the state average of 45.7%.
In 2024, students with disabilities increased in English language arts, math, and college and career readiness. The district also demonstrated significant progress addressing chronic absenteeism with a 10.2% decrease in 2024.
Voter Approval of Measure M: In November 2024, LUSD passed Measure M, a general obligation bond for $160 million, with a 59.7% voter approval rate.
Measure M will provide the district with funding to address some of the district’s most pressing needs reflected in the LUSD Facilities Master Plan, totaling $439 million.
Measure M also reflects a high degree of community support for Finneran’s leadership, as the last bond passed in 2002, and Measure M passed after four failed previous attempts, the district said.
Serious Pursuit of Employee Workforce Housing: The district has been exploring employee workforce housing since May 2024 when the LUSD Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a resolution to do so.
The initiative will potentially bring 100 or more below market-rental units to LUSD employees.
Currently, LUSD is working through the feasibility phase and exploring private-public partnerships to support development.
The LUSD motto, developed collaboratively under Finneran’s leadership is “trusting relationships + high expectations = every student achieves.”
“She exemplifies this in her everyday leadership, and many staff and community members acknowledge and celebrate her ability to bring educational partners together to realize the district’s vision: Each student graduates from high school prepared to meet the challenges of post-secondary education and the demands of a successful career,” the district said.
“Under Dr. Finneran’s leadership we have focused on providing students and families all of the support they need to be successful, including a rigorous academic program, academic and social-emotional support, academic enrichment, and extended learning opportunities,” said Brian Jaramillo, assistant superintendent of Education Services.
“We are deepening our support to ensure that teachers and administrators have the professional learning, coaching, support, and resources they need to achieve our district goals. I am so proud to be part of a team that makes this happen each and every day for each and every student,” Jaramillo said.