Merced County Superintendent of Schools debate

Join us for a candidate debate for Merced County Superintendent of Schools, featuring candidates Ana Boyenga and Richard Lopez.

6-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 29

MCOE Mondo Building

1715 Canal St.

Merced, CA 95340

Childcare, Spanish interpretation, light refreshments provided

Submit your questions for the candidates here, and register to let us know you’re coming and if you’ll need child care and/or interpretation.

FAQ: About the race 

The County Superintendent of Schools must be elected by a majority vote to a four-year term. The Superintendent of Schools functions as the executive of the County Office of Education and works with the elected members of the Merced County Board of Education.

What does the Superintendent of Schools do?

The Merced County Superintendent of Schools leads the Merced County Office of Education in providing support to the 20 school districts in Merced County. Each California county has its own office of education that provides oversight of local academic environments, oversight of school district budgets, approval of Local Control and Accountability Plans, supervision of incarcerated students and certain special education programs, professional development for educators and more.

Why is this race important?

The Superintendent of Schools provides support to school districts as they administer the latest curriculums adopted at the state level. The Superintendent of Schools is the main advocate for local students’ needs at the local and state level. The County Superintendent must understand the tough issues facing Merced County and how they affect students.

Who is running?

Four candidates ran for the position in the June Primary Election, and the top two are facing off in the November election. They are Ana Boyenga, the assistant superintendent of educational services at Atwater Elementary School District, and Richard Lopez, the superintendent at Merced River School District in Winton.