"My family has called East San Jose home for decades. I went through Alum Rock Union School District from kindergarten through eighth grade and later returned to serve as a teacher and principal. ARUSD shaped me, and it pains me to see a destructive cycle of superintendent turnover, fueled by a dysfunctional board, repeat endlessly. When I was a student, I saw four superintendents in nine years."
"In March 2024, Superintendent Hilaria Bauer - my former boss and colleague - was abruptly fired. She served as district superintendent for 10 years, one of the longest tenures in ARUSD history. She wasn't perfect, no one is, but she was a steadying presence. Her removal was political, just like so many others before and since. Then came Imee Almazan, a trusted interim leader. If it were up to the community, she likely would still be there."
"After her, Germán Cerda was hired in September 2024, only to be fired without cause a few weeks ago, just as he was speaking up about questionable board reimbursements. Now, Sandra Garcia, another longtime servant of the district and trusted leader, sits in the interim superintendent's seat. Treat her well, ARUSD board. Don't make her yet another casualty in this endless cycle."
A family has called East San Jose home for decades. The individual attended Alum Rock Union School District from kindergarten through eighth grade and later served as a teacher and principal. The district has endured frequent superintendent turnover—four superintendents in nine years during childhood and five in ten years during employment—undermining relationships, trust, and progress. Hilaria Bauer, a ten-year superintendent, was abruptly fired in March 2024. Interim leaders Imee Almazan and Sandra Garcia are trusted district servants. Germán Cerda was hired in September 2024 and later fired amid concerns he raised about board reimbursements. The board is identified as the common denominator; Trustee Corina Herrera-Loera is praised for dissent.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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