Well Deserved Recognition for Three Outstanding Santa Barbara Women

In honor of Women’s History Month, there are three outstanding women leaders in our local community that deserve recognition.  

Montecito Superintendents, Dr. Amy Alzina, Superintendent of Cold Spring School District, and Mr. Anthony Ranii, Superintendent of Montecito Union School District, recognize the leadership of Dr. Susan Salcido, Susan Klein-Rothschild, and Sharon Byrne.

Women’s History Month began in Sonoma County after a group of women organized a local Women’s History Week in 1978. Molly Murphy MacGregor, Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, Paula Hammett, and Bette Morgan formed the National Women’s History Project in 1980 to “write women back into history.” A few years later, Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28, proclaiming Women’s History Week beginning March 7, 1982.  Over time it has evolved into a month-long celebration. 

Susan Salcido, Ed.D.

Our local Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Susan Salcido, deserves recognition. She was appointed to the position in 2017 and has been successfully leading our 20 school districts in Santa Barbara County through the Pandemic. She is visible throughout the County and has coordinated support to school districts in a variety of areas, including, educational programming, fiscal services, human resources management support, educator professional development, and, recently, Pandemic planning and recovery.

Both Dr. Alzina and Mr. Ranii recognized her contributions to education and her strong leadership. Mr. Ranii recognized, “Dr. Salcido wants to give local leaders every tool for success possible during this fraught time. She has become a trusted partner to me, and I have often sought out her wisdom when I was working through my toughest challenges. Every week, she brings all superintendents across the county together on Zoom, and at turns, she is our leader, counselor, cheerleader, advocate, reporter, and more.”   Dr. Alzina added, “Dr. Salcido is a champion for students. Her leadership through the Pandemic has always been focused on student learning, protecting the health and safety of our students and staff, and advocating for the immediate vaccination of educators. She is a dynamic leader and we are very fortunate to have her in our corner.”

Susan Klein-Rothschild, MSW

Another amazing leader that warrants recognition is Susan Klein-Rothschild, MSW.  Ms. Klein-Rothschild, affectionately known by school superintendents as Susan K.R., is the Liaison between the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and local schools in Santa Barbara for COVID-19. She has a long history of working in public health, family services, and managing education programs. Her insights as former chair of Emergency Public Information Communicators (EPIC), have been instrumental in leading education administrators in Santa Barbara County through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dr. Alzina reflects on the support provided by Susan K.R., “I am so incredibly grateful for Susan’s support, advocacy and accessibility through this Pandemic. She has made herself available to me and my colleagues at all hours of the day and night to answer tough questions related to student and staff health and safety.”

Mr. Ranii adds, “Susan K.R. is my source for up-to-date and accurate information, and has been so giving of her time when I need help navigating through a complex question or situation. She manages to be both empathetic and strong, both flexible and absolutely firm on the rules.” 

Sharon Byrne

A member of our Montecito community deserving leadership recognition is Sharon Byrne. Mrs. Byrne is  the Executive Director of the Montecito Association and also serves as a Delegate of the 65th Annual Conference on the Status of Women. Mrs. Byrne has a Masters in Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and serves as a member of the Behavior Wellness Commission of Santa Barbara County. Dr. Alzina and Mr. Ranii both agree that Mrs. Byrne is a trusted source of news and information in the greater Montecito community. Her leadership of the Montecito Association has brought our community together and provided support to those in need.

The Montecito community is grateful for these three outstanding leaders and their service to our community. Dr. Alzina believes, “Our community is stronger with the collaborative partnership and leadership of these three women.”