Staff Report
Four employees of the Ballard, Buellton and Solvang school districts are among the five people who have been chosen as the 2019 Santa Barbara County Classified School Employees of the Year.
The honors for non-teaching employees are coordinated by the Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Santa Barbara County Board of Education.
“Classified employees are integral to helping our students, schools, and communities succeed,” said Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido. “They fulfill a wide range of roles that are essential to our schools, contributing to the education of children. We are grateful for their dedication and professionalism.”
Five people were selected, one in each of five award categories. Their nominations have been forwarded for consideration as California Classified School Employees of the Year, which will be announced this month.
The winners are:
Kim Bramsen, Ballard School District: Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities.
Bramsen is a second-generation caretaker of the little red schoolhouse of the Ballard School District and a well-respected figure at the school, whose grounds and building he maintains diligently. He is also treasured by the school community for the relationships he builds with students.
Shannon Filburn, Lompoc Unified School District: Support Services and Security.
Filburn went from student press operator in the regional occupation program (ROP) to career employee in the Printing Department with the Lompoc Unified School District. She is known for her unwavering kindness, her willingness to help out with whatever needs to be done, and her commitment to the students.
Richard “Mr. Rick” Nichols, Solvang School District, Transportation.
Mr. Rick is a bus driver who not only transports students safely to school and back and makes their field trips memorable, but also shares his knowledge of science and history with students. He can often be found volunteering in the classroom.
Kathy Robb, Buellton Union School District: Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance.
Robb is an instructional assistant at Oak Valley Elementary School whose day starts early with the before-school Homework Club program. She is known as the “can do” person on campus, providing support wherever needed.
Sandra Tomasini, Solvang School District: Office and Technical Services.
Tomasini is a payroll and accounting technician whose work not only earns excellent audit results but also leads to grant funding and beautification projects for the district. She is known as a cheerleader for both the school and the community.
