Susan Singleton
Board President
Term: 2020 - 2024
I was an Army Brat growing up, attending eight different schools through the years before I graduated from high school in San Francisco. My bachelor’s degree was in English from the University of California at Berkeley. I then received my California Teaching Credential for K-8 from California State University Hayward in the specialized inner-city program. I began teaching in Oakland, California, but my first full-time teaching job was in Tasmania, Australia.
Our family moved to Calaveras County thirty years ago, in 1986. My children attended Vallecito Union School District Schools and all three graduated from Bret Harte High School.
I retired from teaching in June 2016, after serving 20 years in the Vallecito Union School District. During my years at VUSD, I taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students at both Hazel Fischer Elementary and Albert Michelson Elementary. As a staff member, I helped introduce several new curricula, technological developments, and social programs. We made every effort to make the learning experience for the children as rewarding as possible. What a joy it has been to see our students return to visit as accomplished young adults.
I look forward to serving my community and schools as a school board member and feel that because of my experience in education, I have unique insight into the needs of the children. I hope to continue the quality education Vallecito provides and make a positive difference in the future of our children.
P.O. Box 329
Avery, CA 95224
Rob Hecocks
Board Member
Term: 2022 - 2026
My wife Barb and I moved our four children from San Jose to Murphys 25 years ago. Our children attended both Michelson Elementary and Avery Middle School. I have some fond memories of both schools. Being a chaperone at coast camps and ski days, volunteering at the Medieval Faires, and participating at the Sport-ORamas, were my favorite memories.
I was involved with the Ebbetts Pass Youth Soccer League and the Ebbetts Pass Little League as a board member and coach. I was a parent and board member of the Murphys Dolphins Swim Team for many years as well. I was a Volunteer Battalion Chief with the Murphys Fire Protection District for 10 years, but my biggest accomplishment was leading the Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop in Murphys. I was both their Cubmaster and Scoutmaster for 15 years.
I am a retired Fire Captain/Paramedic with the Santa Clara County Fire Department. In 2020, I was able to retire from a career I loved for 30 years. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautic Operations from San Jose State University. I am the owner and lead instructor of Motherlode Safety Training. Barb and I enjoy traveling, gardening, tending to our vineyard, and making wine.
As a Vallecito Union School District board member, I would like to see our district focus more on the fundamentals of learning. I believe math, science, reading, and writing come first. Someone once told me that a rural school district is not the same as an urban school district. I still believe this to be true. We have something pretty special in the Vallecito Union School District. Whether it's our teachers, administrators, support staff, school board, stakeholders, parents, or most importantly, the children. We need to keep this in mind when we care for and communicate with each other. I believe I have the children's best interests in mind. I will always do my very best to keep their needs first.
P.O. Box 329
Avery, CA 95224
Jessica Hitchcock
Board Member
Term: 2022 - 2026
I am a dedicated mom, wife, and public policy leader. I was appointed to the Vallecito Union School District board in March 2022 and am committed to ensuring children in this district have access to a high-quality education. I strongly believe that it takes a village to raise our kids.
My children are students at Michelson Elementary, and my husband attended Hazel Fischer and Avery Middle School. In 2020, I served on the COVID reopening committee, and our district was among the first in California to have an opportunity for safe, in-person learning during the pandemic, which speaks volumes to the dedication of teachers, staff, and parents in this district. I care deeply about ensuring children are mastering fundamental skills while also developing a lifelong love for learning and curiosity about this world.
Professionally, I am the founder of Urban Math, an urban economics consulting firm that specializes in affordable housing policy for cities across California. I have a BS and Masters from UC Berkeley in Business Administration and City Planning and am a self-proclaimed data geek, which means I like digging into the details of how things work and providing tangible solutions for everyday problems. On weekends, you’ll find me cooking up a storm or devouring a book. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to serve on the VUSD Board and to contribute to this community.
P.O. Box 329
Avery, CA 95224
Jodi Sledge
Board Clerk
Term: 2022 - 2024
My husband and I have lived in Calaveras County for 34 years and both graduated from Bret Harte High School. After graduating high school, I moved to Los Angeles to spread my wings with my career in training horses as well as my professional career in Administration and Management.
Missing that hometown feel that we all love, I moved back to Calaveras County in 2006, and shortly after I began working for Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown. In 2012, my husband and I both decided that I would become a stay-at-home mother to our daughter. In 2015 we welcomed our son. We now have two beautiful children who currently attend Hazel Fischer Elementary.
Last year I felt it was time to return to the workforce and received a job as the Deputy City Clerk for the City of Sonora. Throughout my professional career, I have worked to solve problems for the people and communities I have worked with and been a part of. I believe there is always a solution to a problem, although it is not always the simplest or easiest answer. It is important to think “outside the box” to find answers and I am willing and prepared to engage, listen and collaborate with others to find the best solutions to the issues impacting our students at VUSD.
What I would like to accomplish as a board member would be to make sure that we are focusing on our students‘ achievements, and emotional needs, establishing an effective and efficient structure for their futures and the district’s vision and goals. I want to ensure that every deliberation, decision, and action reflects the best interests of every student we serve. I look forward to serving our district and community.
P.O. Box 329
Avery, CA 95224
Tim Bottomley
Board Member
Term: 2023 - 2024
My father grew up in Calaveras County so he made sure that my family came up as often as possible to embrace everything this area has to offer. After completing my BA degree in 1991, I moved to Arnold and went to work for our newly acquired family business, Bear Valley Mountain Resort. I had the great pleasure of working with hundreds of people from this community and was able to introduce thousands of kids to snow sports. I lived in Bear Valley until I married my beautiful wife Jill Bottomley in 1996 and moved down to Avery where we still reside today. We have two amazing children, Tyler (22) and Kenzie (17), both who attended Michelson Elementary and Avery Middle Schools.
From 1993 to 2009 I served as a volunteer firefighter and Sheriff’s Deputy reserve in Bear Valley. I was also a volunteer with Ebbetts Pass Fire District in Arnold for 10 years. In 2009 I became a full time Public Safety Officer with Alpine County, and I retired in December 2021. I currently manage my horse boarding ranch in Avery along with 14 family properties. I am also active as a training officer for Bear Valley Fire Department.
As a Board member I would like to ensure VUSD continues to strive towards academic excellence and emotional support for our students, providing each student with the knowledge and confidence they will need to thrive as young adults. I look forward to working with other Board members to provide the best learning environment possible for our kids and community.
P.O. Box 329
Avery, CA 95224
[email protected]