Menlo Park, CA – Today Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) issued the following statement on the termination without cause Santa Clara County Superintendent of Education Mary Ann Dewan:
“I am dismayed and saddened by the abrupt dismissal of Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan by the Santa Clara County Board of Education during a closed-door meeting. I am equally disheartened by the lack of transparency in firing one of our region’s most dedicated educational leaders.
“This summer, I was pleased to recommend Dr. Dewan for the Association of Educational Service Agency’s Woman of Inspiration in Leadership Award. This award, which she won, recognized Dr. Dewan as an exceptional educational leader who has consistently demonstrated her commitment to improving the lives of students in our community. In addition, the California County Superintendents recently named Dr. Dewan and the Santa Clara County Office of Education its “2024 Large County Office of the Year,” in recognition of its extraordinary work.
“As a Senator, I rely on the partnership that I have with the Superintendent and her team at the County Office of Education. Her depth of knowledge and local insight have been a reliable source of guidance for my office. The termination of this highly regarded superintendent without cause and without public input by four members of the Board of Education deeply concerns me.”
A representative of Senator Becker’s office attended today’s press conference and spoke on the Senator’s behalf in support of Dr. Dewan and expressed his concern about this situation.