Cayucos Elementary School Earns Top Honors
Cayucos, CA — January 2026 — Cayucos Elementary School District is proud to announce that Cayucos Elementary School has earned exceptional recognition at the county, state, and national levels in the 2026 Niche School Rankings, affirming its reputation as The Best Little Beach School.
2026 Niche Rankings — San Luis Obispo County
• Best Public Elementary Schools: #1 of 44
• Best Public Middle Schools: #1 of 19
• Best Public K–8 Schools: #1 of 7
2026 Niche Rankings — California
• Best Public K–8 Schools in California: #14 of 1,004, top 2% in California.
2026 Niche Rankings — National
• Best Public K–8 Schools in America: #135 of 6,488, Top 2% in the United States.
These distinctions highlight Cayucos Elementary School’s strong academic outcomes, student growth, positive school culture, and commitment to educating the whole child across its TK–8 program. Niche rankings are based on a comprehensive, data-driven methodology that blends quantitative metrics with qualitative feedback. Rankings consider:
• Academic performance (state assessment results and proficiency measures)
• Student growth and progress
• Teacher quality and experience
• School culture, climate, and diversity
• Family, student, and community reviews
Data sources include the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, and millions of parent and student reviews nationwide, with academics weighted most heavily while also valuing school climate and lived experience.
“We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and families,” said Superintendent Jen Gaviola. “Being recognized as the top school in San Luis Obispo County—and among the very best in California and the nation—reflects the intentional, collective work happening every day at Cayucos. Our success is rooted in high expectations, strong relationships, and meaningful community partnerships. We truly are Better Together.”
Cayucos Elementary School serves students in grades TK–8 and is known for innovative instruction, enrichment in the arts, college and career readiness, and a close-knit coastal community that actively supports its school.
For more information about Cayucos Elementary School, visit: www.cayucosschool.org
SLO AARP Free Tax Prep
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide of San Luis Obispo County is pleased to announce initiation of tax preparation services for the 2026 tax season has started. Services are free, and while funded through the AARP Foundation, are available to all seniors and low to moderate income residents, not just AARP Members. There is also no age limit for using the service. Tax return preparation services will be offered from February 2nd through early April.
AARP Tax-Aide offers an online self-booking appointment system for taxpayers. Beginning January 19th, taxpayers can go to www.ccfreetax.org to book their appointment online. Taxpayers without a computer, tablet or smartphone can call the appointment line at 805-931-6308 beginning January 26th. Taxpayers are strongly encouraged to use the online appointment system.
AARP Tax-Aide has nine locations in San Luis Obispo County including Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. All sites are by appointment only.
AARP Tax-Aide has been providing tax preparation services to Central Coast residents for more than 30 years. Our AARP Tax-Aide counselors, and other volunteers, are trained and IRS certified each year.
Started in 1968 by four volunteers, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is now the nation’s largest free, volunteer–run tax preparation service. By using these services, seniors and low to moderate income taxpayers avoid preparation and electronic filing fees. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in partnership with the IRS. Last year our local AARP Tax-Aide program prepared approximately 3,500 tax returns, resulting in over $3,000,000 in refunds being returned to the local economy.
Geri LaChance Named SLO Citizen of the Year
Geri LaChance, a consummate professional and tireless volunteer who lives and breathes “we before me” every single day, was honored as the 2025 Citizen of the Year during the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in front of nearly 600 attendees. This is the Chamber’s most prestigious honor, presented in recognition of unparalleled service to the community of San Luis Obispo.
Since arriving in San Luis Obispo in 2011 to lead SESLOC Federal Credit Union, Geri has transformed the organization and the community it serves. Under her leadership, SESLOC more than doubled its assets from $500 million to $1.25 billion, expanding financial services to thousands of local businesses and families.
“I have fallen into this wonderful community that I love,” said Geri upon receiving the award. “This is where I call home and I love what we’ve been able to do. There’s a lot of challenges, but the Chamber moves forward positively and propels this community to be wonderful.”
“All of us at SESLOC are so excited for Geri and so proud of all her accomplishments because we were fortunate to see, first-hand, how she lifted this cooperative to an enviable position,” said Mike Quamma, President & CEO of SESLOC. “Her actions reflected the commitment to serve our members, each other and our community. I will be forever grateful to stand on her shoulders and aspire to the bar that Geri has set.”
But Geri’s impact goes far beyond business. She dramatically increased SESLOC’s contributions to local nonprofits, supporting more than 130 organizations, and personally helped raise more than $2 million for causes close to her heart. She co-chaired fundraising for SLO4Home, enabling the resettlement of 11 refugee families from Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine; led a capital campaign for Nativity of Our Lady; and championed arts access for 10,000 schoolchildren through Festival Mozaic and FPAC. She helped design a no-down-payment lending program for Cal Poly Partners, mentored Cal Poly business students and athletes through the Women in Leadership Group and organized a statewide leadership symposium to advance women in banking.
“Geri is a model servant-leader,” said Kris Yetter, President of Promega Biosciences. “Her energetic leadership, compassionate mentorship, and generous philanthropy have built a profound legacy.”
Her service is extensive and deeply personal. In education and business, Geri served as a SLO Chamber Board Member (2016–2019), including a term as Chair in 2018, and contributed to the CEO Search Committee (2018–2019). She was a Leadership SLO Foundation Board Member (2017–2019), joined the REACH Council (2020–present), and continues to serve on the Cal Poly Partners Board (2020–present) and the Cal Poly Basketball Women in Leadership Group (2022–present).
“She never just sits on a board,” said Erik Justesen, 2019 Citizen of the Year. “She propels organizations forward.”
Her passion for the arts is evident through her roles as FPAC Board Member, Vice President, and Chair (2017–2024), as well as her support for the SLO Museum of Art Circle and SLO REP as a “Leading Role” donor. In healthcare, she has been a business sponsor and personal donor for French Hospital’s “Beyond Health” Campaign.
Geri’s commitment to youth, families, and seniors includes more than a decade of service on the YMCA Board (2012–2023), where she served as Chair and Fundraising Chair, raising nearly $1 million. She now serves on the Channel Islands YMCA Board (2023–present) and has been a driving force behind the Children’s Miracle Network “Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction,” serving on the committee for 16 years and co-chairing in 2022, helping raise $1.5 million. She is also a Gold Donor for Jack’s Helping Hand.
Her dedication to social responsibility shines through her involvement with the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (2022–present), the SLO4Home Fundraising Committee (2022), and the SLO County Housing Trust Fund Board (2012–2014). She remains a member of REACH’s advisory council and continues to mentor nonprofit leaders and young professionals across the region.
Driven by a rare and boundless generosity, Geri LaChance consistently puts others first, leading with trust, humility, and unwavering goodwill. These qualities embody the very spirit of an exemplary Citizen of the Year.
