The Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCOE) voted on Wednesday night to terminate Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan without cause. Dewan, who held the position for over six years after joining the board in 2013, previously served as chief schools officer and deputy superintendent before being appointed as interim superintendent and later confirmed in her role.
In February, the board conducted a closed-door meeting to evaluate Dewan’s performance and leadership, leading to questions from community members about the prolonged nature of her performance review, as reported by the San Jose Spotlight. Prior to that meeting, numerous community members expressed support for Dewan, praising her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite some criticism regarding her handling of special education programs and workplace safety concerns, the decision to terminate her came as a shock to many parents and educators. During the board meeting, attendees voiced their support for Dewan, with one person stating, “She’s a visionary and knows how to get things done,” while another remarked on her ability to make people feel valued and heard.
Trustee Tara Sreekrishnan publicly opposed the decision, describing it as made in poor judgment, conducted behind closed doors late at night, and without public involvement. She expressed the need for transparency, calling for a public hearing to clarify the reasons behind the termination. “It was a shocking decision. The public deserves answers about why this termination happened and why now,” Sreekrishnan said.
The exact reasons for Dewan’s termination remain unclear. In a statement released by the Santa Clara Office of Education, Dewan expressed her honor in serving the county’s schools, staff, and students. “I have dedicated my life to the service of our community and hold the work of the County Office of Education in high esteem,” she stated, adding that she is “incredibly proud of all we have done together to advance equity, inclusion, diversity, and partnership.”
The Santa Clara County Board of Education thanked Dewan for her contributions, highlighting her efforts to foster communication, collaboration, and a culture focused on teaching and learning, as well as promoting social-emotional well-being.
In the interim, the district’s associate superintendent will assume the role until a new superintendent is appointed.
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