Celebrating Impact, Aligning Systems, and Building Bold Leaders in El Dorado County
Sustaining excellence requires more than good intentions—it demands systems thinking, relentless alignment, and courageous leadership. The El Dorado County Office of Education has navigated a bold journey of continuous improvement over the past five years. Their story is one of protecting what works, building systems for the future, and creating opportunities for every student and leader to thrive.
Located in Northern California, El Dorado County borders Sacramento and stretches into South Lake Tahoe. The county’s education system serves a complex and dynamic region, including 15 school districts: 12 elementary (TK-8) districts feeding into one high school district, and two unified districts. As a county office, EDCOE runs programs and supports local districts and serves schools regionally and statewide. Their work is rooted in a commitment to students, staff, and communities, reflecting a deep understanding that excellence is sustained through intentional collaboration and system alignment.
Three Celebrations: Honoring Progress and Impact
El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) has made significant strides in the past five years, strengthening alignment across districts and programs while expanding its impact regionally and statewide.
100% Graduation Rate for Native American Students in Amador County
EDCOE’s Indian Education Program serves both El Dorado and Amador counties. Its commitment to serving Native American students has produced powerful results. “For the first time in the history of Amador, we had a 100% graduation rate with all of our Native American students,” shared Dr. Manansala, El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools. This historic achievement showcases the effectiveness of strategies focused on student engagement, relationship-building, and persistent support.
Systemwide Alignment and Progress Reflection
EDCOE has embedded a disciplined cycle of reflection and planning into its leadership practices. Over 40 leaders meet each June to review accomplishments, identify priorities, and plan. Departments revisit their progress every 90 days, aligning their work to an organizational scorecard. This consistent rhythm creates clarity, sharpens focus, and drives collective improvement.
Developing Future Leaders Through Intentional Onboarding
Recognizing the need for consistency across leadership practices, EDCOE has elevated onboarding and leadership development. By focusing on essential tools like Excel, budgeting, and project management, the organization ensures that new and emerging leaders are well-equipped to manage projects, budgets, and teams effectively, reinforcing organizational excellence from the ground up.
Two Strategies: Strengthening Systems for Sustainable Excellence
Hardwiring Systems for Long-Term Impact
EDCOE has shifted from isolated efforts to a systemwide approach that ensures alignment and sustainability. “It seems easy to say, but to do and implement consistently becomes really important,” emphasized Dr. Manansala. Aligning priorities and building consistent processes across departments has allowed EDCOE to grow and mature in its continuous improvement journey.
Protecting the Work While Being Bold
Dr. Manansala captured the heart of EDCOE’s mission through a story from South Tahoe High School: when a wildfire threatened to destroy the school, alumni firefighters stood in front of the gymnasium to defend it. “We will not let this school be burned down,” they said. This powerful moment symbolizes EDCOE’s mindset—to honor and protect what works while boldly innovating to overcome new challenges and push their system forward.
One Next Action
Building on Momentum
Looking ahead, EDCOE is committed to deepening leadership development and strengthening consistency across all levels of the organization. By expanding training and support for leaders and continuing to refine systemwide processes, EDCOE will ensure that its work not only endures but continues to set a standard for excellence.
El Dorado County Office of Education’s journey reflects the essence of what it means to hardwire excellence in education. Through a disciplined focus on people, alignment, and system building, they have created a strong foundation for sustainable success. Their story reminds us that true leadership is about honoring the work, protecting it, and boldly forging the future for the students and communities we serve.
