Santa Clara County Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan was fired in a closed session on Wednesday night, according to a statement by Maimona Afzal Berta, president of the Board of Education.
The press release stated that Dewan was removed from her position in a 4-2 vote, with one abstention. Board members Berta, Joseph Di Salvo, Grace Mah and Don Rocha voted in favor of Dewan’s termination. Reena Lari and Tara Sreekrishnan voted against. Raeena Lari abstained from the vote.
Berta wrote in her statement that Dewan’s appointment was terminated “per her employment contract without cause upon 30 days written notice.” Dewan was also placed on paid administrative leave for the 30-day notice period after Berta provides her written notice.
After that period, Dewan will receive severance pay, as provided by her employment contract for termination without cause.
Tara Sreekrishnan, the Board of Education member representing Area 2—which includes school districts in Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, Saratoga and Morgan Hill—condemned the lack of transparency in Dewan’s termination and called for a public hearing to address these concerns.
“The termination of a Superintendent without cause, especially when it affects our most vulnerable students, is not only poor judgment, but an outright political stunt,” Sreekrishnan said. “This action led to staff walking out in protest, further underscoring the inappropriate and damaging nature of this decision.”
Claudia Rossi, a registered nurse who previously served as president of the board in 2020, told the Bay Area News Group that she felt “disappointment” and “consternation” toward the vote. She also said she believed the vote was a “deliberate weaponization of the evaluation process” that didn’t seek consensus or a positive work relationship with Dewan.
She highlighted the work Dewan did during the pandemic, like making sure students were fed and supporting distance learning. As a former representative of South County schools, Rossi said Dewan had helped get programs started for students who had been neglected in that part of the county and was grateful for her leadership.
Berta, Di Salvo and Mah refused to comment on Thursday.
NBC Bay Area’s investigative team previously reported that there were complaints about Dewan surrounding the use of Head Start funds and allegations of retaliation during a related federal review.
Berta announced in her statement that associate superintendent Jessica Bondorius would be taking over the duties as acting superintendent until the board could find a temporary or permanent successor.
“We are confident Dr. Bondorius and the next interim superintendent will provide stability and consistency for our students, families, and educators during this transition,” Berta said in her statement.
Berta wrote that they would hold a special session related to the appointment of an interim superintendent as soon as possible.
Dewan was appointed superintendent in 2018. According to her biography on the Board of Education’s website, Dewan prioritized education reform and was committed to serving the community and underserved, vulnerable children with a mission that centered diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice. She advocated for expanding early learning services, health and education. She has received several awards, including a commendation from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in 2019 and a President’s Medal for Exemplary Service During the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020.
Dewan could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.
“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,” Berta said in her statement. “The Board of Education thanks her again for her work.”
