 Phillip J. WilliamsDeputy County Superintendent
(530) 745-1389
Email
| Phillip Williams is the Deputy County Superintendent and has worked for the Placer County Office of Education since July of 2009.
Mr. Williams began his teaching career working with Emotionally Disturbed students for the Placer Union High School District and continued working with this population until 2002. Additionally, he served as the Director of Student Services for Linden Unified School District and Roseville City School District. Mr. Williams holds a Master of Arts in Special Education from California State University, Sacramento and a Bachelor of Science from California State University, San Luis Obispo. Mr. Williams is a Placer County resident and has made it his home since 1992.
He believes deeply in the community and is driven to provide the best educational experience possible for all students in Placer County. Learn more about Mr. Williams in this Cabinet Q&A video.
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 Martin FregosoAssociate Superintendent
Business Services
(530) 889-5920
Email
| Martin Fregoso is the Associate Superintendent of Business Services and has worked for the Placer County Office of Education since July 2016.
Mr. Fregoso began his education career in 2006 and previously served as the Chief Business Officer for the Los Gatos Union School District and Atwater Elementary School District. During this time, he facilitated multi-million dollar facilities projects and left both districts in a strong financial position with more than 20 percent in reserves. Mr. Fregoso earned his Bachelor of Arts in Migrant Studies/Sociology from the University of California, Davis and his Masters
of Business Administration from the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management. He currently serves on the Placer County Consolidated Oversight Board as well as the Executive Committee for the Schools Insurance Group. Mr. Fregoso has resided in the region for 30 years and is committed to quality education in Placer County. Learn more about Mr. Fregoso in this Cabinet Q&A video.
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 Jennifer HicksAssociate Superintendent
Educational Services
(530) 745-1492
Email
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Jennifer Hicks is the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services and began working for the Placer County Office of Education in 2011. Ms. Hicks oversees the Early Learning, Equity Innovation and Support and Leadership and Learning Collaborative departments at PCOE. Ms. Hicks previously served as the Director, Professional Development and Executive Director and Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to joining PCOE, Ms. Hicks was the Coordinator, Educational Services for Washington Unified School District, Service Learning Grant Manager for Rocklin Unified School District and a kindergarten-second grade teacher. Ms. Hicks holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Sacramento and Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Walden University. She currently serves as a Commissioner for both First 5 Placer and the California State Board of Education Instructional Quality Commission. Ms. Hicks is the Past Chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee (CISC) for the California County Superintendents. Ms. Hicks has served on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Board of Institutional Review. In 2014, Ms. Hicks was selected as the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Placer County Charter and Region 2 Administrator of the Year for Curriculum and Instruction. She is a 2022 California County Superintendents Star Award Recipient. Ms. Hicks is a WestEd Equity Accelerator Fellow and has a passion for ensuring equity and creating sustainable systems change. She is a Placer County resident and her children graduated from Placer County Schools.
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 Susan ConnollyAssistant Superintendent
Student Services
(530) 754-1440
Email
| Susan Connolly is the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and has worked for the Placer County Office of Education since 1997. Ms. Connolly began her teaching career working with students with special needs for the Stanislaus County Office of Education. Additionally, she worked in a non-public school setting before accepting a position teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorders for the Placer County Office of Education.
Ms. Connolly also served as a Special Education Coordinator and the Director of Alternative Education prior to her current position overseeing Student Services. Ms. Connolly holds a Master of Arts in Special Education from National University and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from California State University, Stanislaus.
Ms. Connolly is a Placer County resident and has made it her home since 1995. Ms. Connolly strives to develop and sustain innovative, high quality educational programs to meet the diverse needs of students in our community.
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 Colleen Slattery, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Human Resources
(530) 889-5952
Email
| Colleen Slattery, Ed.D.
is the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and has worked for
the Placer County Office of Education since July 2018. Dr. Slattery has
nearly 30 years of experience in K-12 public education at all levels
from the classroom to administration. She previously served as an
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Director of Personnel Services, Principal, Vice
Principal and middle school teacher in various Placer County school
districts. Dr. Slattery holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Liberal Studies and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from
California State University, Sacramento, and earned her
doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University. She was named Placer County Teacher of the Year in 2000-2001 and
was named the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
Personnel and Human Resources Administrator of the Year in 2010-2011 for
both Placer County Charter and Region 2. She is also a past President
of the ACSA Placer County Charter. Dr.
Slattery strives to support and develop all employees as well as maintain positive and productive work and school environments.
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 Troy TickleAssistant Superintendent
SELPA
(530) 886-5873
Email
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Troy Tickle is the Assistant Superintendent of the Placer County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and has worked for the Placer County Office of Education since July 2016. Mr. Tickle has a rich background in serving children on the autism spectrum and began his educational career working as a speech pathologist for Panama-Buena Vista Union School district in 1999 in Kern County. During this time, he also served as the Kern County Consortium SELPA Coordinator and served as the President of Kern Assistive Technology Center, a non-profit agency serving the technology needs of disabled children. Mr. Tickle earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Iowa State University and a second Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from Northern Iowa University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Speech Pathology from Northern Iowa University. Mr. Tickle’s vision is for all children to have equal access to education in the least restrictive environment and that all children have a rich and fulfilling educational experience in Placer County schools.
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 Michelle EklundChief Communications Officer
(530) 889-5913
Email
| Michelle Eklund is the Chief Communications Officer and began working for the Placer County Office of Education in March 2019. Ms. Eklund is an award-winning communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in strategic communications, brand management, online community engagement, publication production, design and marketing in a variety of industries ranging from travel and tourism, healthcare, leadership development and education. She previously supported the largest children's advocacy association, California State PTA, as the Assistant Executive Director working to drive improvements in the education, health and well-being of all children and families. Ms. Eklund earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a member of several professional groups including the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA), National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO).
In 2021, Ms. Eklund received the "California Gold" award from CalSPRA. She currently serves on the Education Commission for the California State PTA Board of Managers and serves as the chair of the California County Superintendents Communications Committee as well as the Capitol/Foothills Service Region Chair for CalSPRA.
Ms. Eklund resides in Placer County and is committed to showcasing the positive impact public education has for all children and families in Placer County.
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