About the Humboldt County
Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Eagles began his first term as county superintendent of schools in January of 2003. He previously served as assistant superintendent with the Humboldt County Office of Education for 19 years in charge of personnel and administrative field services to local school districts. His background includes that of teacher, counselor and school psychologist, and he has taught classes for Humboldt State University, St. Mary’s College, and the University of LaVerne.

Dr. Eagles is a graduate of the University of the Pacific/Kensington University, completing the majority of his graduate work at UOP, Stockton. He was awarded a Ph.D. in the field of counseling psychology in 1976.

Dr. Eagles’ previous community work includes serving as:

• President of the KEET TV Board of Directors;
• President of United Way of Humboldt;
• A Founding Board Member of the North Coast Repertory Theatre;
• A Founding Member and President of Humboldt Connections, a social services program for youth;
• Chair of the Humboldt Family Service Center Board of Directors.

He is currently a member of the Multi-Agency Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, the HSU Elementary Education and Special Education Partnership Councils.

On the state level, Garry has served as a member of the Legislative Policy Committee for the Association of California School Administrators and as a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the California County Superintendents Educational Service Association.

About County Superintendents

The office of county superintendent of schools has existed in California for more than 150 years; but the programs and responsibilities of the office have evolved to meet the changing needs of the state and its 1,053 locally controlled school districts.

Today, the 58 county superintendents in California serve as intermediaries between the state and local school districts within each county. County superintendents and their staffs help with implementation of regional programs, provide fiscal oversight, monitor teacher credentialing, supply curriculum support and training, and help in other areas of interest to local districts and the state. A primary role of the county superintendent is to promote quality educational services to all students by providing leadership, support, assistance and coordination to each county's public school system.

County superintendents of schools are state constitutional officers. The position was first established in the 1849 California Constitution as a duty of the county assessor. In 1852 the office of county superintendent of schools was created by statute, and in 1856 it was made elective as a position of county government. The new California Constitution of 1879 established the position of county superintendent of schools as a constitutional office (Article IX, ß3).

Today, county superintendents in 53 of the state's 58 counties are elected. In four counties, however, the county superintendent is appointed by the county board of education (San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Santa Clara). In Los Angeles, the county superintendent of schools is appointed by the county board of supervisors. All county superintendents, whether elected or appointed, are required to hold a California Administrative Services Credential.