Riverside County Office of Education Named 2026 Large County Office of the Year
RIVERSIDE – For the first time, the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) was honored as the Large County of the Year by the California County Superintendents. Leading the state with the highest graduation rates and lowest dropout rates, piloting the California State University direct admission program, advancing apprenticeships, artificial intelligence readiness, initiatives focused on financial literacy and foster youth, and the Season of Giving community donation drive, were all identified as examples supporting the selection of RCOE as the 2026 Large County of the Year recipient.
The recognition from the statewide association that works with all 58 county offices of education in California was judged on technological innovation, executive leadership, and other considerations such as whole child implementation, work surrounding students with disabilities, diversity/equity/inclusion initiatives, campaigns, supporting arts education, and other state-leading/extraordinary work.
“This award is a result of strong partnerships with districts and a relentless focus on student support inside the classroom and out,” said Nicole Glentzer, California County Superintendents Legislative Chair and Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools, during the award announcement. “All of this is guided by Dr. Edwin Gomez’s superintendent’s initiatives, and the clear, unified focus on competitive edge, mental health, financial literacy, fostering youth, and literacy by the fifth grade. The work of the Riverside County Office of Education is only possible because of the people of RCOE and across the districts who show up for students every single day.”
“This award is meaningful because it recognizes the power of keeping students at the center of everything we do. The work that we do would not be possible without the commitment of our district partners, community leaders, families, and students we serve,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. “I am humbled to lead a team of dedicated professionals who relentlessly focus on ensuring the success of all students.”
Each year, winners are selected by a committee composed of county superintendents and county office staff throughout the state. RCOE was selected in the category that includes the 12 counties that serve the most students in California: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Clara
Also honored by the California County Superintendents, RCOE's Dr. Deanna McCarty (Executive Director, Alternative Education, Division of Student Programs and Services) was selected as the 2026 County-Operated Student Programs Committee (COSP) STAR Award Winner.
About California County Superintendents
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.
About the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)
RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts and 500+ schools that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states. RCOE services include administrative support to districts and charter schools, programs for preschool, special education, pregnant minor, correctional, migrant, and vocational students. In addition, the organization provides professional training, support, and resources for more than 18,000 teachers, administrators, and staff, throughout the 7,000 square miles of Riverside County. Learn more about www.rcoe.us.
