Tietjen, other California Superintendents Lobby for Valley Students in D.C.

Merced County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Tietjen, along with county superintendents from across California, visited Washington D.C. this week to meet with federal lawmakers and advocate for issues specific to the Central Valley.

Organized by the California County Superintendents, a statewide professional association that lobbies on behalf of students across the state, superintendents met with representatives from Vice President Kamala Harris’s office, the U.S. Department of Education, Rep. David Valadao, Senator Alex Padilla and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, among others.

“Our time in Washington was well spent and I had the opportunity to speak with several of our federal leaders about issues in our region,” said Tietjen. “I am happy to report that leadership in Washington is listening to superintendents from California.”
 
Topics included the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Title 1 Funding, Secure Rural Schools and Head Start funding.

“I look forward to legislation that will benefit our Special Education and Head Start programs,” Tietjen said.