Dear School Business Professionals,
On behalf of Bill Ridgeway and myself, it has been our pleasure to serve the districts and business staffs in Santa Barbara County over the years. At our core, we always remembered the purpose of our work and wish everyone much success in continuing the support of our most important customers – the students. Many thanks, Denice Cora Administrator, School Business Advisory Services Sharing a recent Message from Susan Salcido regarding retirements…
Announcement:
Today I share a bittersweet announcement about the retirement of two longtime SBCEO employees whose immeasurable service and exemplary leadership within our organization and our schools will be dearly missed.
After 35 years with SBCEO, Bill Ridgeway is retiring as Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services, effective Dec. 30, 2022. And after 12 years as SBCEO’s Administrator, School Business Advisory Services, Denice Cora will also retire on Dec. 30, 2022.
In his role as Assistant Superintendent for the past nine years, Bill Ridgeway’s insights, wisdom, humor, and able stewardship have helped shape our office’s philosophy and culture. He has been a statewide leader and advocate for education funding, often sought out for his insights and advice by state policy leaders. He has the uncanny ability to take complex topics – such as school finance – and explain them in a way we can all understand. Prior to becoming an Assistant Superintendent, he served as SBCEO’s Administrator of Internal Services since 1991.
Bill shared that retirement brings the opportunity to spend more time with his grandchildren in Utah and Hawaii.
Denice Cora has worked for a total of 31 years in education, 12 here at SBCEO, and the remainder of years in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Orcutt Union School District, and the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
In her service to SBCEO, Denice Cora led the effort to implement a new, modernized financial system county-wide, replacing an over 30-year-old system. She trained district personnel on every module, ensured data was converted to the new system, and successfully “went live” as planned. “I wanted to ensure everyone would be paid on time and without incident, and we succeeded!” she shared. As her supervisor, Bill Ridgeway said “Denice is truly the energizer bunny, and over the years, has worked tirelessly to support districts and the County Committee on School District Organization. I will truly miss her energy, creativity, and excitement for the work of supporting others, as well as her positive outlook.”
Denice said she looks forward to spending more time with her family and many travel adventures ahead.
Please join me in delivering our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to both Bill Ridgeway and Denice Cora. Their decades of devotion and impact to public education administration have truly made a difference for students and employees throughout Santa Barbara County.
Sincerely, Susan Salcido
Dr. Susan Salcido Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools On behalf of Bill Ridgeway and myself, it has been our pleasure to serve the districts and business staffs in Santa Barbara County over the years. At our core, we always remembered the purpose of our work and wish everyone much success in continuing the support our most important customers – the students. Many thanks, Denice Cora Administrator, School Business Advisory Services
Retirement-flyer-Bill-Denice.pdf