Dr. Todd Finnell Elected as 2025-2026 President of California County Superintendents

El Centro, CA - Imperial County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Todd Finnell, has taken office as the 2025-2026 President of the California County Superintendents, after serving as President-elect this past year. Dr. Finnell is only the third County Superintendent from Imperial County to lead the California County Superintendents Association since 1973, when the association was formed. Others include Dr. Herb Farrar in 1987 and John Anderson in 2004. The California County Superintendents support the 58 county superintendents of schools across the state, working together to promote, influence, and advocate for a high-quality education for all public students in California.

Dr. Finnell was elected as Imperial County Superintendent of Schools in 2014 and has served 35 years in K-16 education as a classroom teacher, counselor, and administrator, and more than 20 years as faculty at San Diego State University, preparing new teachers for the profession. His California credentials and certifications include Multiple Subject Teaching, Pupil Personnel Services, Administrative Services, and Chief Technology Officer.

In addition to his work in TK-12, Dr. Finnell served four years as Vice President for Student Services, Technology, and Research for Imperial Valley College. While in the college system, he championed access and opportunity for all students and worked to strengthen collaboration among K-12 and higher education institutions.

"The future of education lies in our ability to work together—across counties, systems, and communities—to reimagine what’s possible for every learner,” stated Dr. Finnell. “As President of the California County Superintendents, I believe that through bold collaboration, we can encourage an educational system where every student is equipped to shape a better tomorrow. It’s my personal and professional priority to ensure that Imperial County students and families are provided with a breadth of educational services and opportunities that support them on this path."

Dr. Finnell assumes the role of President as of July 1, and his term will end on June 30, 2026. Joining Dr. Finnell on the 2025-2026 Executive Committee for the California County Superintendents is President-elect Tim Hire, Tulare County Superintendent of Schools, and Richard DuVarney, Tehama County Superintendent of Schools, who will serve as the Immediate Past President.

About California County Superintendents: Nearly six million students walk into California classrooms each day. They are urban, suburban, rural and represent an unrivaled diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and races. The California County Superintendents provides the organizational mechanism for the 58 County Superintendents of Schools to design and implement statewide programs to identify and promote quality cost-effective educational practices and services, and provide support to school districts in the areas of student services, curriculum and instructional services, fiscal accountability and business services, personnel services, and technology and telecommunications.
Website: cacountysupts.org