A Legacy of Vision & Innovation: Remembering Dr. Kelly Blanton

Kern County’s education landscape has lost a transformational leader. Dr. Kelly Foster Blanton passed away earlier this month, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of dedication, innovation, and a commitment to the success of all children. He was 87. From his humble beginnings as the son of Dust Bowl migrant farmworkers to his transformative tenure as Kern County’s 18th superintendent of schools, Blanton’s life exemplified resilience, vision, and service.

“He was truly a visionary,” said Dr. Larry E. Reider, who worked closely alongside Blanton for decades and succeeded him as county superintendent. “I used to tell people that he could see things come around the corner before most people even saw the corner. That’s who he was.”

Dr. Blanton’s journey began in Buttonwillow and Wasco, where he lived in farm labor camps and picked cotton alongside his family. Despite facing immense challenges, he pursued his education with determination, earning degrees from Bakersfield College, San Francisco State University, CSU Fresno, and culminating with a doctorate from USC. His belief in the power of education was not only a guiding principle for his life but also a cornerstone of his career.

“I am a teacher, and I’ll always remain a teacher,” Blanton had said.

His career began in 1959 as a teacher at Wasco’s Palm Avenue School. After serving two years in the military, Blanton returned to teaching before stepping into leadership roles that would define his legacy. In 1967, Blanton became superintendent/principal of Maple Elementary School District, where his innovative approach to leadership began to take shape.

In 1971, he joined the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office, serving in various capacities before being appointed superintendent in 1986. Over the next 13 years, Blanton revolutionized education in Kern County, creating programs and initiatives that had statewide, national, and even global impact.

“What Elvis Presley did for music in the 50s, The Beatles in the 60s, and Taylor Swift now, that’s what Kelly did for education in our community. He was that big of an influence,” Reider said.

Blanton’s tenure as superintendent is remembered for its focus on innovation and collaboration. His initiatives were far-reaching and visionary.

“You will hear this from everyone: Kelly was a visionary,” said former Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Lizardi Frazier. “He believed that anything was possible and tried to make the impossible possible.” 

A Look at Blanton’s Most Impactful Achievements

Alternative Education Assistance: Partnering with the Kern County Probation Department, the juvenile courts of Kern County, and local school districts, Blanton implemented truancy reduction programs that decreased dropout rates by more than 50 percent. Blanton also championed the creation of The Community Learning Center, a charter school operated by KCSOS for alternative education students. The center was later renamed in Blanton’s honor. In an article about education reform, Blanton wrote that everyone deserves access to an education.

“All children can be successful in school. No child should ever be labeled as a likely failure because of the social, economic, racial, or ethnic characteristics of their families or communities,” he said at the time.

Empowering Students with Disabilities: Blanton spearheaded the Mobility Opportunities Via Education (MOVE) program, which helped students with severe physical disabilities sit, stand, and walk. This program, designed by special education teacher Dr. Linda Bidabe and implemented by Blanton, combines therapy with an instruction and training process to help people develop the necessary motor skills needed for sitting, standing, walking, and transitioning. MOVE was eventually translated into at least eight languages and adopted worldwide, including Japan, The Netherlands, Russia, Portugal, and Italy. It still operates today.

Changing The Landscape of Downtown Bakersfield: In 1994, Blanton relocated the KCSOS headquarters from southwest Bakersfield to its current location downtown at City Centre. In the 30 years since, it’s become the hub for thousands of employees. Reider said the move revitalized the downtown area, with other businesses following KCSOS’s lead and moving downtown.

“It’s very safe to say that he changed downtown,” Reider said. “He was an influencer before influencers even existed.”

Blanton further altered the map of downtown by partnering with the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) and the Kern County Board of Education (KCBOE) to establish Downtown Elementary School. This school would serve the students of the employees who worked in the downtown area. 

“He believed it was important to allow working parents the ability to swing by the school for special events or just to check in on the kids. He was ahead of his time with this concept,” Frazier said.

Insurance Coverage for California Schools: Blanton initiated and administered The Self-Insured Schools of California (SISC), a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that has grown into the largest public school health pool in the United States. The organization is known for its stability in providing property, liability, and health insurance solutions for schools across California.

Educational Technology and Access: Under his leadership, Kern County schools became pioneers in using telecommunications and online resources, ensuring teachers and students had access to cutting-edge tools. He founded the Kern Educational Telecommunications Network (KETN) and served as chair of a statewide committee charged with bringing video and telecommunications to students. 

“Kelly championed the expansion of technology in Kern County school districts and established a technology support division to meet those needs,” said former county Superintendent Dr. Mary Barlow.

He completed a statewide system of satellite uplink and downlink dishes at every County Office of Education in California to allow staff development sessions to be conducted from a single location. He also led the way in establishing internet connectivity for rural districts in Kern County and across the state.

Increasing Fiscal Accountability: Blanton was a champion for accountability in the education system. In the early 90s, he worked with Reider and a dedicated team to apply for a competitive grant from the state, which allowed him to administer the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT). This team provides financial oversight and management assistance to the state’s schools to support and promote sound financial practices.

“That has changed education throughout California, and it’s been a model statewide,” Reider said. “He wanted accountability and transparency in school districts, and that’s what he insisted on.”

Community-Centered Programs: Blanton co-founded the Kern County Network for Children, a collaborative initiative to address the needs of children through partnerships between schools, businesses, and government agencies. He also forged partnerships with the Kern County Museum and the California Living Museum (CALM) to create hands-on educational opportunities for students.

As superintendent, Blanton oversaw more than 1,800 county office employees and provided leadership to nearly 18,000 school staff across Kern County. His efforts extended beyond administrative roles — he was deeply invested in better preparing students for the global economy, ensuring they became lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and problem-solvers.

A Leader Who Inspired Others

Blanton’s leadership style was defined by his ability to inspire and empower those around him. Frazier, who worked with Blanton for many years and later became the first woman and Latina county superintendent, recalled his ability to push others toward growth.

“Kelly approached me on a very difficult assignment,” she recalled. “I let him know that I couldn’t as I’d never worked on such a big assignment before. He said, ‘That’s why you should do this. Pushing yourself in discomfort is the way to grow!’ I did, and he was right.”

Milo Hall, a former Kern County Board of Education member, praised Blanton’s ability to cultivate an environment of innovation and collaboration.

“He encouraged new thinking, and he often planted the seeds,” he said. “Problems were simply challenges and opportunities. Accomplishments were fun.”

Reider, who perhaps worked with Blanton the longest, remembers meeting him when Reider was working in Arvin and Blanton was a consultant with KCSOS. Blanton’s predecessor, Claude Richardson, offered Reider a job that he initially decided to turn down. Blanton talked to Reider and convinced him to take it.

“I don’t know how many people have ever negotiated with Kelly, but you don’t win negotiations with Kelly,” he said. “It was the best thing professionally to ever happen to me, by far.”

Thus began a partnership that spanned nearly two decades. Eventually, Blanton was appointed county superintendent, and Reider became his right hand man. Reider says he was in a great position to learn from Blanton.

“He taught me so much I can’t begin to tell you,” he said. “I watched him in meetings from when I joined the office until the day he left, and I learned something new every day.”

Reider remembers Blanton’s invaluable advice when he took up the mantle of superintendent in 1999: ‘Treat people fair, treat them with dignity’ and ‘never give a cheap shot and never take the cheap shot.’

Beyond his professional achievements, Reider fondly remembered Blanton’s humor and warmth, from his hilarious portrayal of Santa Claus at office Christmas parties to getting together after work to discuss the day. Reider called him a great guy to be around and a lot of fun.

“You can’t talk about how fun he was without mentioning his wife Yvonne,” he said. “Talk about a marriage made in heaven. Kelly Blanton wasn’t Kelly Blanton without Yvonne Blanton.”

A Legacy That Endures

After retiring in 1999, Blanton continued to innovate. Along with his son, he co-founded Epylon, an internet start-up providing eProcurement software to education and government institutions. He also remained active in local organizations, including the Kern Citizens for Effective Local Government and the West Bakersfield Rotary Club.

Blanton’s impact on Kern County — and beyond — is immeasurable. His programs continue to support students, teachers, and families, shaping future generations. His vision for a connected, community-centered approach to education remains a model for other education agencies.

“His innovation made Kern County one of the most respected county offices in California, and his legacy lives on today,” Barlow said.

As we remember Kelly Blanton, we celebrate a life dedicated to the belief that every child, regardless of their background, can succeed. His work reminds us that education is not just about teaching — it’s about inspiring, empowering, and changing lives. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the community he transformed.

“Kelly had a legacy in the office, a culture, a value system. And what’s so amazing is it’s still there today. I love that,” Reider said. “He’s here forever.”

Dr. Kelly F. Blanton

January 12, 1937 – December 17, 2024