The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is one of 58 county offices located throughout the state. Approximately 700 full-time and more than 2,500 part-time SCOE staff work year-round providing services which complement and supplement those offered by public school districts in the County of Sacramento. Over 230,000 K-12 students are served by public schools in Sacramento County.
Classified Employee of the Month
Juanita Lopez, a payroll analyst, was nominated by Payroll Services Manager Sherry Lack for her contributions to Payroll Services of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Lopez is responsible for auditing, processing and maintaining payroll for SCOE employees whose last names begin with "A-K." Her role requires her to keep current regarding tax law changes, CalSTRS and CalPERS retirement systems rules and reporting requirements, and SCOE internal pay policies. She also works with employees and supervisors to resolve pay and retirement issues and is responsible for tracking and reissuing "stale dated" payroll warrants. She additionally serves as backup for the Payroll Manager in auditing Temporary Exempt employee contracts and as back-up for auditing, processing and maintaining the "L-Z" portion of SCOE's employee payroll. Her supervisor says, "Juanita is always willing to go above and beyond to make sure that employees are paid correctly. Her prior experience working in payroll at the CalPERS desk established contacts with that agency that have proved invaluable with expediting several issues employees have had with their retirement. She is extremely accurate in her work." Ms. Lopez has expanded her duties to include the maintenance of payroll's "stale dated" warrants; she developed a database to track old warrants, she locates employees who have not cashed warrants, and she arranges for re-issues. Ms. Lopez's work has been recognized by supervisors and employees of other departments many times. "Juanita's biggest contribution to SCOE is the security she gives employees—the knowledge that they will be paid accurately," concludes her supervisor. Ms. Lopez has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since November 2001.
Certificated Employee of the Month
Craig Bradford, a teacher, was nominated by Principal Andrea Lemos for his contributions to the Juvenile Court and Community Schools Programs of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Bradford teaches students in grades 7-12 at SCOE's North Area Community School. This year he is also serving as the site's Teacher-in-Charge. Mr. Bradford assists students when they are having difficulties on campus and makes positive connections with students, staff and families. He welcomes students and families as they transition into the school. In addition to his work in the classroom, Mr. Bradford supports SCOE's LINKS program. He works with students who are striving for improvement in attendance, positive behavior and academic growth, and he honors students each month by presenting awards to celebrate their success. His supervisor says, "Craig is known for his commitment to doing what is right for students and holding students accountable for the expectations that are set for them. He makes positive connections with students and works closely with parents to address student needs. The students also respect Mr. Bradford and are successful in his class." Mr. Bradford engages his students in various activities, including physical education (with basketball the favorite of his students) and the volunteer program that connects North Area Community School students with special education students at SCOE's Dry Creek Elementary School campus. Several families who have worked with Mr. Bradford comment on the positive way he supports their students, who have been enrolled in many schools in the past. They note that for the first time their children are achieving success, attending school more regularly and doing schoolwork. Mr. Bradford's supervisor concludes, "Craig has been an integral part of the team at North Area Community School and uses his skills and talents to benefit students, staff and parents each day." Mr. Bradford has been a Sacramento County Office of Education employee since August 1996.