San Jose – The Board of Education of Santa Clara County issues the following statement:
Board Counsel presented the Board of Education with the following read out following the October 2, 2024 Closed Session Item 9(A) – Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release (Gov. Code § 54957) as follows:
As to item 9(A) on today’s closed session agenda, the Board took action to terminate the County Superintendent’s appointment per her employment contract without cause upon 30 days written notice, pursuant to Section 6, Subsection (c) of her employment contract. Additionally, the Board placed the Superintendent on paid administrative leave for the thirty (30) day notice period, effective upon receipt of the notice.
The Board President was directed to provide that written notice.
Upon the official termination date, the County Superintendent is to receive the severance amount provided in her employment contract, as amended, for termination without cause.
The motion was passed with the following vote:
Ayes: Trustees Berta, Rocha, DiSalvo, and Mah
Noes: Trustees Chon and Sreekrishnan
Abstentions: Trustee Lari
This concludes the Close Session Report. There are no other reportable actions, President Berta.
Following this read out, Board President Berta read the following statement:
The Santa Clara County Board of Education would like to take the opportunity to thank Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan for her services following her appointment by the Board in 2018.
During her 6 years of service, Superintendent Dewan has placed a high value on cultivating systems for communication and collaboration, championing a culture that was focused on teaching and learning, as well as promoting social-emotional well-being, and health and wellness both in and out the classroom.
The Board of Education thanks her again for her work.
The Associate Superintendent Dr. Jessica Bonduris will assume the duties of acting Superintendent until the Board appoints an interim or permanent Superintendent.
As soon as possible, the Board will hold a special session relating to the appointment of an interim Superintendent.
We are confident Dr. Bonduris and the next interim superintendent will provide stability and consistency for our students, families, and educators during this transition.
During this transition, the Board is committed to a process that allows for input from all stakeholders to identify a candidate who can deliver the core services this organization offers.
In the coming weeks, the Board will make additional information available regarding the timeline and opportunities for engagement in the interest of transparency and informing the public.
As professionals in education, we understand the importance of keeping students, staff, families, and organizational partners at the center of the work we do on behalf of our community.
As a publicly-elected Board, we remain dedicated to upholding accountability, transparency, and trust within our community.
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The Board will issue further public statements as warranted.
Maimona Afzal Berta
President