The Santa Clara County Board of Education has voted to sever ties with Superintendent Dr. Mary Ann Dewan in a move that has sparked a mix of gratitude and controversy. At a board meeting on Wednesday, the trustees voted 4-2 to terminate Dr. Dewan's contract "without cause," as per her employment agreement, giving 30 days written notice. On top of being placed on paid administrative leave during this period, Dewan will receive a severance package, which has not yet been disclosed. The Santa Clara County Office of Education issued a press release stating that Dr. Dewan expressed it was "a complete honor and privilege to serve Santa Clara County, its schools, community, staff and students."
Board President Maimona Afzal Berta promised continuity by appointing Associate Superintendent Dr. Jessica Bonduris as acting Superintendent. At the same time, the board searches for an interim or permanent replacement. However, the decision has not come without dissent. Trustee Tara Sreekrishnan strongly criticized the closed-door decision, according to the San Jose Spotlight, saying, "It is deeply harmful to our children's education that this decision was made behind closed doors. The public deserves to be part of these discussions, and it’s wrong to exclude them from such an important process."
The vote to terminate Dr. Dewan's role as superintendent ended her six-year tenure, during which she focused on communication and collaboration, social-emotional well-being, health, and wellness. According to a press release from the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Dr. Dewan championed a culture focused on teaching and learning, advancing equity, inclusion, diversity, and partnership.
While the Board of Education has lauded Dewan's dedication and work in various statements, education sector workers have raised underlying issues. SEIU’s Santa Clara County Office of Education chapter president, Sarah Gianocaro, has pointed out preventable injuries among special education students and staff due to workplace safety concerns. Gianocaro states, "Hopefully they will see we need to address the issues we’ve been talking about for the past several years," as mentioned in a San José Spotlight report.