County superintendent to retire in June

El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Vicki L. Barber, Ed.D, has announced her plans to retire from her position effective June 30.

Barber, who was first elected County Superintendent of Schools in 1994, was reelected for four additional terms and will retire with 19 years as County Superintendent.  Barber began with the El Dorado County Office of Education in July 1983 as the director of special education, was promoted to assistant superintendent in 1984, and became deputy superintendent in 1990.

Barber, 62, is paid $181,141 annually.

“It has truly been my honor and pleasure to serve the children, families, school districts, and communities through the El Dorado County Office of Education for the past 30 years,” said Barber.  “We are extremely fortunate to have such exceptional schools that deliver quality education throughout the county. I am so appreciative of the support that public education has received in this county and have deep gratitude for the dedicated and passionate educators who deliver such outstanding service to our students and families every day.”

In addition to her service at the El Dorado County Office of Education, Barber is active in local, regional, state, and national organizations. She has served as a member on the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Board, the Western Slope Boys & Girls Club Board, the El Dorado Community Foundation Board, the Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises Board, the Marshall Hospital Board of Directors, the Economic Development Corporation Board, the El Dorado First 5 Commission, as well as other leadership positions in local and statewide organizations.

Barber has received numerous awards and recognition for her service. In 2012, she was honored as an Exemplary Leader in the region by the American Leadership Forum. In 2011, she was awarded the Ferd. Keisel Distinguished Service Award as the outstanding school administrator in the state by the Association of California School Administrators. In 2009, she received the Paul Harris Rotary Award from the Cameron Park Rotary Club. Barber was recognized as Superintendent of the Year, both in 2006 by the Small School Districts Association and in 2005 by the Regional Association of California School Administrators. The Sacramento Business Journal awarded her the Women Who Mean Business distinction in 2004.  The California County Superintendents Educational Services Association has also selected her for several awards, including the Perpetual Award in 2000 and the Executive Leadership Award in 1999.

“Dr. Barber leaves a tremendous legacy through the El Dorado County Office of Education — for providing high quality services to children and youth and for building an outstanding support network for all schools in the county,” said Gene Rasmussen, president of the El Dorado County Board of Education. “She has been instrumental in establishing a culture of collaboration, not only among schools, but also throughout the community.  She will certainly be missed.”

Barber announced her retirement decision at this time in order to ensure a smooth transition of the office. The county Board of Education has the responsibility and authority to appoint the County Superintendent in the case of an uncompleted term, and Rasmussen reported that the board has requested that Jeremy Meyers, deputy superintendent, serve as the County Superintendent, effective July 1. The appointment would be effective through 2014, with a primary election being held in June 2014 and, if needed, a general election in November 2014.

Meyers currently earns $163,024. Barber expects he likely will be placed at Step 3 or 4 of the salary schedule when the board appoints him superintendent. Step 3 is $164,300, Step 4 is $172,575. Barber is at Step 5.