By Greg Mellen

As she mulls impending retirement, Stacy Yogi has a worry not uncommon to those about to leave busy professional lives: How on Earth is she going to finish all the projects on her plate before the end of June?

In the final stretch of a 32-year run with the Capistrano Unified School District, Yogi is the Executive Director of State and Federal Programs.

She is the wizard behind the curtain who figures out how to pay for many of the district’s most important and innovative programs, particularly those involving the district’s most vulnerable populations.

At the top of the final to-do list for Yogi, whose last day is June 30, is wrapping up the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) for 2023-2024. A major piece in the district’s planning and vision, involving input from staff, parents, and students, the plan sets out the goals for improving student outcomes and performance. And, equally critical, how to pay for it. It is a painstaking but ultimately rewarding process, according to Yogi.

“In my position, I work with so many people from all different departments,” Yogi said. “Not one person can do all the work.”

She is not only an unsung hero in helping students facing homelessness or from low-income families, but an advocate for programs that raise cultural awareness and proficiency.

“It’s hard to pick one,” Yogi said of choosing a particular program she favors. “All of the work is so fun.”

And gratifying.

Creating a culture of caring

Take, for example, the state grant-funded Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, which will give 500 transitional kindergarten through sixth-grade students the chance to take summer classes in the Saddleback College for Kids program in robotics, art, acting, tennis, reading, writing, math, and cooking.

This new Expanded Learning after-school program is being rolled out that Yogi calls a “game-changer.” The plan that began this year in three phases and which offers academic and enrichment programs has already enrolled about 2,000 of 7,000 eligible students.

“Kids are having fun and the program provides child care which allows their parents to work,” Yogi said of the after-school and summer programs.

Yogi was able to help students and their families gain access to mental health counseling, motel stays, gas cards, and other benefits during and after the pandemic through the American Rescue Plan.

She also works with the 13 Title I schools in the district which receive federal funds for low-income students.

“We don’t qualify for a lot (of state and federal money),” Yogi said. “It’s a challenge getting funding, but I feel we make good use of the funding we have.”

It’s not all about raising funds. Yogi has also helped promote programs that lift awareness. A prime example is the Cultural Proficiency Program, which is intended to make systemic changes that create an inclusive environment and value diversity.

The Cultural Proficiency Plan was developed after discussing equity, access, and gaps in various data metrics. School staff, students, and parents provided input into the plan to create more widespread understanding and empathy and inclusivity.

A distinguished career

Yogi began at CUSD as a second grade teacher at RH Dana Elementary in Dana Point in 1991, after graduating from Cal State Long Beach with a bachelor of arts in psychology and from the University of Southern California with a master of science in education.

She rose quickly to acting principal at the school in just five years. Yogi later became principal of Reilly Elementary in Mission Viejo, before moving into the district offices in 2000. She has been in her current position since 2009.

Yogi has received her share of accolades along the way. In 2022-2023 she was named Certificated Leader of the Year as well as being a Capistrano Unified School District Spirit of Service Award Nominee. She has also helped the District to be recognized for a variety of early learning programs, including a California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award for Exemplary Early Childhood Program for the Learning Link program.

Beyond spending the usual time with family and friends, including Todd, her husband of 31 years who recently retired, Yogi said she has no particular retirement plans. She does, however, intend to continue with a pair of adjunct teaching positions she has with Concordia University and UC Irvine.

Over the years, Yogi says the greatest reward of her work has been helping others.

“I have a position to support students,” Yogi said.

While as a teacher and principal she could help kids individually or in small groups, she said, “With the district I can help hundreds. It’s gratifying to know you’re working to help all these groups. You feel you’re making a difference.”

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