County Superintendent of Schools

Gary Thomas, Ed.D.

Biographical Information

Dr. Gary S. Thomas began his first full four-year term as San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in January 2011. Voters elected Thomas to his position in June 2010 by a wide margin. He had spent the prior two years filling out the term of former County Superintendent Dr. Herbert R. Fischer. Thomas focuses the priorities of the County Schools’ office on closing the access and achievement gap, improving dropout and graduation rates, preparing students for college and careers, and building collaboration and providing leadership—particularly during California’s difficult budget climate.

Dr. Thomas' 32-year career in education has spanned work through seven diverse districts in California beginning as a junior high school teacher in the Charter Oak Unified School District in 1979. As the former deputy superintendent for County Schools, Dr. Thomas oversaw all business, human resources and technology services for the office, serving 33 K-12 districts, three Regional Occupation Programs and five community colleges, including oversight of the office’s $380-million budget.

As deputy superintendent and chief business official for the county superintendent of schools, Dr. Thomas brought forward the county's first balanced budget in over seven years and has maintained that status. Additionally, he led the team to implement the Williams Legislation in 2004 and it has been called a model for the state.

Before he became the deputy superintendent for County Schools, Dr. Thomas was superintendent of Silver Valley Unified School District for 2 1/2 years. There Dr. Thomas directed a staff of over 300 employees. In cooperation with his staff, parents, students and the district Board of Trustees, he successfully moved all schools off Program Improvement status, successfully lobbied the federal government to build a new school for students living on Fort Irwin National Training Center and developed a budget reserve that allowed the district to forward fund impact aid.

Prior to his leadership position in Silver Valley, Dr. Thomas served as superintendent of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District for 4 1/2 years. While in Lucerne Valley, Dr. Thomas oversaw the re-alignment of the district's curriculum to match the state standards in the core subject areas; implemented an alternative education center that provided independent study, adult education, home/hospital and community day school programs; and entered into a partnership with Victor Valley Community College to provide vocational education programs to high school juniors and seniors.

In addition to his two stints as a district superintendent in the High Desert, Dr. Thomas served as principal, director of elementary education, senior director of instructional services, and assistant superintendent of Business Services for the Hesperia Unified School District over a 10-year period. One of his major accomplishments while in the district was turning around a troubled elementary school and bringing back a sense of pride and respect for the school from the parents, staff, and students it served.

Dr. Thomas has served on and chaired numerous advisory committees and task forces locally, in the county, and for the state to improve the education and well being of students. In 1972, Dr. Thomas earned the Eagle Scout Award. In 1984 and 1986 he was honored with the Golden Ham Award from the Hesperia Administrator and Managers Association. He received the Champion for Children award from the Military Student Impact Aid Association in 2002. In 2008, he was awarded the Business Administrator of the Year Award by the Association of California School Administrators.

Dr. Thomas received his undergraduate degree in Psychology and teaching credential from California State University, Los Angeles. He earned his master's degree and doctorate from the University of LaVerne. Dr. Thomas has resided in San Bernardino County's High Desert for the past 23 years. He and his wife Beverly have two daughters, one son, one grandson, and two granddaughters.

For additional information, please contact: Ms. Michelle Ottoson by e-mail or by calling (909) 386-2406