Kay Spurgeon

Image of Kay SpurgeonOne of our own, Kay Spurgeon, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2019. Kay was passionate about education, community, family and friends.

Kay lived in Colusa County for 49 years. Kay and her husband Eddie raised daughters, Kira, Erika, and Tara, and son Theron, and enjoyed spending time with her numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Kay dedicated her 49 years in Colusa County to education.  Beginning in 1966, she taught in all four districts in Colusa County and at Yuba Community College. In 1984, she became Assistant Superintendent of Children's Services for the County Office of Education while also serving as Coop Director for categorical programs for the county and President of the California Coop Directors Association. Kay became Colusa County Superintendent of Schools in 1995.

As a County Superintendent, Kay focused on improving communications within the County Office and community, supporting student achievement, and developing resources to meet the unserved needs of children and families in the county. Just a few of Kay’s accomplishments included:

·       Active advocacy for return of community college classes and services to Colusa County

·       Construction of facilities to serve the children and youth of Colusa County:  Colusa Children's Center, Arbuckle Children's Center, Arbuckle Early Care and Education Center, George E. Cain Children's Center, and the Education Village in Williams.  Additionally, she collaborated with Woodland Community College for the Colusa County Outreach Center at the Village, and special education classrooms at school sites in all four districts

·       Partners In Education Forum (multiple years), bringing education, public agencies, community groups and individuals together to discuss issues and formulate plans of action for the County Office of Education

·       Countywide staff development institutes (multiple years), providing current issues and training to County Office and district staff

·       Support of curriculum and instruction in K-12 system through grants for improvement of instruction and leadership

·       Gang Operational Team (GOT) to facilitate collaboration between public agencies and education

·       Funding resources that more than doubled during her tenure as Superintendent to provide services needed for the children, youth and families in Colusa County, including child development programs, prevention and intervention programs, curriculum support and development programs, health services, and arts integration in core curriculum through the County Arts Team (CAT)

·       Recognition of student academic achievement through Academic Decathlon, 3+ Club, County Spelling Championships at elementary and middle school levels; and support of the Super Seven (Colusa High School), Distinguished Dozen (Pierce High School), Fabulous Five (Maxwell High School), and Super Five (Williams High School) celebrated by community groups

Kay actively participated in many organizations throughout Colusa County:

·       Past President, California Cooperative Directors Association, including organizing three statewide conferences

·       Past President, Capital Service Region (CSR) County Superintendents

·       Regional Representative, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA)

·       CCSESA Liaison to the Business Administration Steering Committee

·       CSR Curriculum & Instruction Committee

·       Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)

·       Horace Mann League

·       Timber Counties Coalition

·       National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition

·       Glenn Colusa Resource Advisory Committee, Secure Rural Schools and Counties Act

·       Colusa County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission

·       California School Leadership Academy

·       ACSA Business Academy

·       ACSA Personnel Academy

·       Woodland Community College Advisory Committee

·       Colusa Redskins Athletic Foundation Founding Member

·       Past President, Colusa Rotary Club

·       Past President (2 separate terms) Soroptimist International of Colusa County (SICC)

·       Treasurer, (2 separate terms) SICC

·       Chair, SICC Committees (numerous years):  Women's Opportunity Awards, Candidates Nights

·       President, Theta Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (Professional Educators)

·       Past Treasurer, Theta Mu Chapter, DKG

·       Past President, Vice-President, Secretary (multiple terms) Beta Sigma Phi; current chapter Torchbearer Gamma

·       Chair, Super Seven Dinner, multiple years

Kay’s dedication to this community has touched families far beyond Colusa County and CCOE will strive to continue her dedication to community and education for years to come.