Trouble in Santa Clara: Board and Superintendent Conflict Affects Students

A recent report has highlighted some serious issues in the Santa Clara County Office of Education. The 42-page report found that the county’s education board wasn’t following its own rules, leading to a strained relationship with the office’s administration. This could end up costing the county and its 234, 000 students a lot of money. The state agency looking into the matter started in July, focusing on the leadership structure. However, they quickly realized the real problem was with the board. Staff complained about the board’s unprofessional behavior and overstepping their authority. There’s some disagreement about who asked for the review. Some board members think the former superintendent, Mary Ann Dewan, started it herself. Others say it was a board request. Dewan was fired last month, and the board hasn’t explained why. The report shows that the board’s actions have caused problems. They’ve been micromanaging and not following their own policies. This has led to staff working long hours to meet board requests, taking away from helping students and school districts.

The tension between the board and the superintendent is costing the county a lot in legal fees. They’ve spent $243, 000 this year alone, which is $70, 000 more than they planned. The board even hired separate legal counsel, which is unusual. The report also mentioned some questionable behavior by a board member, Grace Mah. She tried to take control of a hiring decision she shouldn’t have and shared personnel details publicly. This isn’t the first time there’s been turmoil. Over the past decade, there have been several controversial firings and resignations. A 2018 report said the high turnover rate cost taxpayers over $1 million. The appointed structure of the Santa Clara County Office of Education has led to confusion and conflict. The board has limited power, and the superintendent has more. This has caused problems in how they work together.

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