Ex-County School Boss Colleen Wilcox Considers Run for Los Gatos Council

Dr. Colleen Wilcox, who served as a superintendent of schools for 20 years - most recently as the Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools for 14 years - announced today she's "strongly considering" a run for the Los Gatos Town Council.

Wilcox said she's pulled the necessary paperwork and has until tomorrow, Aug. 15, to declare her candidacy, and to decide whether she'll run for one of two open seats on the governing body.

"I'm heavily weighing a few things," she said in an email seeking comment. "I'm still contemplating the run so I honestly can't confirm."

There are two seats up for election this coming November. and The other seat is vacated by

Wilcox managed the Santa Clara County Office of Education's $250 million budget and a staff of more than 1,900 employees.

Before retiring she also served as director of the Alliance for Teaching. The initiative worked to improve the status of teaching and the stature of teachers throughout Silicon Valley.

Her 40 years of experience in education include teaching, speech and language pathology, and administration. Wilcox also served as a superintendent in the Chicago area, and has worked in educational administration in Tucson, Arizona and in Los Angeles.

She founded Silicon Valley Reads, a community-wide reading program for young people and adults, and initiated Fit for Learning, which serves area schools in combating childhood obesity and poor health. She also founded the web-based program Hats Off to Teachers to offer discounts of goods and services to Bay Area teachers.

Wilcox has earned appointments to numerous boards, including chair of the Silicon Valley YMCA, president of the Horace Mann League of the United States of America, and chairwoman of the Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley for five years.

In 1999, she served as president of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association and was selected as California Superintendent of the Year.

She was also selected by the Women’s Fund for its Woman of Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Silicon Valley Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement in 2004.

In 2005, she received the prestigious John D. Crummy Legacy Award, the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley’s highest honor.  In 2010 Dr. Wilcox received the Horace Mann League Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the YMCA of Silicon Valley.

Wilcox holds a doctoral degree from the University of Southern California, a master's degree in speech pathology from the University of Arizona, and a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing sciences from the University of Iowa.

She has served in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, written numerous professional articles, authored and illustrated two children’s books, and chaired the Los Gatos Arts and Culture Commission from 2009-2011.

She currently spends her time sculpting in bronze and recently had a piece accepted into the 2012 juried show of the Los Gatos Art Association at the Triton Museum.

Patch had the chance to interview Dr. Wilcox.

Los Gatos Patch: What's your biggest contribution to the Town of Los Gatos? 

Colleen Wilcox: Like most of us who have chosen to live in Los Gatos, I take great pride in calling it my home and share a sense of responsibility for its vibrancy. I’ve been fortunate to serve as chair of the town’s Arts and Culture Commission for two years and spearheaded our long range plan. I am particularly eager to unveil our public art projects as they get underway. I also endowed the children’s reading section of our amazing new library and regularly read at story time for our preschoolers.

Patch: What's the area of most influence in your profession?

Wilcox: As a superintendent of schools for 20 years, my focus has been on what happens in the classroom. There is no magic in teaching, the essential elements are teacher excellence and parental participation. Therefore, much of my efforts have fostered teacher training and parental empowerment.

Patch: How do you challenge those who work with you?

Wilcox: The good folks in public education do not need to be further challenged by me. The multiple needs of our children, the demands of the workforce and the funding crisis in California’s schools are challenging enough. However, targeted professional development focused on improved student achievement is usually very rewarding.

Patch: How do you inspire staff?

Wilcox: By example, high standards and acknowledgement of their successes. What gets measured gets done and what gets recognized gets valued.

Patch: How are you a transformative leader?

Wilcox: Transforming any organization, system or group requires a constant unwavering focus on the goals and bringing the right people together to achieve those goals. I thoroughly enjoy engaging others in common problem-solving. In facing today’s complex issues there is little room for one-man solutions.