Each year, members of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 12 nominate exemplary individuals for awards.  These awards not only recognize individuals but bring great distinction to the individual’s school and district.  This year, we are proud to announce that two of the honorees are valued members of the Fontana management team:  Dr. Richard A. Stedry, Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, and Gorge Santiago, Principal of Oleander Elementary School.

Richard A. Stedry, Ed.D. - Deputy Superintendent, Business Services ACSA Region 12 Administrator of the Year in Business Services Dr. Stedry has been in education for the past forty-three years.  He began his career as an instrumental music teacher in 1967.  He transitioned into administration and between 1973 and 1994 he held six positions with 'Superintendent' in the title.  In 1982, he received his Doctorate in Education from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.  Dr. Stedry was the Department Administrator for Cleveland School District in 1994; Director of Finance and Operations in South Carolina in 1996; Associate Superintendent of Business and Administrative Services in El Paso in 1999; Chief Business Officer in Temple City, Hacienda-La Puente in 2000 and 2002; and has held the position of Deputy Superintendent of Business Services at the Fontana Unified School District since 2005.  He is a Professor, consultant, and author.  Dr. Stedy is a member of many professional organizations, including ACSA and California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) and has served as Secretary and Chairperson for many professional boards.  Time and time again, Dr. Stedry has displayed his commitment to our school sites and to the students of Fontana.

Gorge Santiago - Principal, Oleander Elementary School ACSA Region 12 Elementary School Administrator of the Year Mr. Santiago was born eighth in a family of nine children.  He and his siblings grew up in Fontana and attended Redwood Elementary, Sequoia Junior High, and Fontana High School.  After he graduated from high school, he and his brother, Roberto (an Assistant Principal at the new Jurupa Hills High School) carpooled to Cal Poly Pomona.  Mr. Santiago graduated from Cal State San Bernardino with a Bachelors degree in Business and has two Masters degrees, one from National University and one from Azusa Pacific.  He returned to Redwood Elementary School as a Teacher in 1996.  Mr. Santiago served as the Assistant Principal at Juniper from 2001-2004 and has been Principal of Oleander since 2004.  During his years at Oleander Elementary School, Mr. Santiago has been instrumental in raising the school’s API from 630 to 808 and exiting Program Improvement, Year 3 in 2007 – two milestone accomplishments for the school.  Mr. Santiago is a recent husband and a first time father-to-be. Be sure to read "Fontana teacher takes top honor" in The Sun Telegram to find out more about Mr. Santiago.

"It is wonderful to see the outstanding work done in Fontana recognized in our region," said Superintendent Cali Olsen-Binks.

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