San Jose school district fires superintendent hired just last year, weeks before 1st day of school
2 weeks ago, Superintendent German Cerda posted videos about getting ready for the first day of school. Now, he is out of the job
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Parents and teachers in the South Bay are sharing their frustration and shock after a superintendent's firing just weeks before school starts.
Two weeks ago, Superintendent German Cerda was posting videos about getting ready for the first day of school.
Now, he is out of the job.
On Thursday evening, the Board of Trustees for the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District made the unexpected announcement.
Cerda was there during the meeting, and not there when they returned from closed session.
"Unilaterally terminating the superintendent's contract of employment without cause."
MORE: San Jose's Alum Rock Union School District votes to close 6 schools, consolidate 3
We spoke with Sandra Rivera, President of Alum Rock Educators Association.
She said it she was in disbelief when he found out.
"Having let go of a previous superintendent, having to hire a firm to do a search for this current superintendent and now being right back where we were less than a year ago it is frustrating," Rivera said.
The reason, Board President Linda Chavez didn't explain. On Friday, she released a statement that said in part, "That decision was made after much consideration and deliberation."
We spoke with Delia Oseguera Navarro, her daughter is entering the 6th grade at Adelante Dual Language Academy.
"Personally, I do not think he had enough time like I wanted to see at least one full year him as a superintendent without having to deal with the closings," Oseguera Navarro said.
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Due to budget issues and declining enrollment, the district closed six schools and consolidated three.
"We're only at the halfway point, you know we closed the schools and we've packed up all the teachers and their stuff is supposed to be moving and now we have to unpack and start the school year off," Rivera said.
"There was so many promises, so much we're going to make this work better, we're going to this all that and we're buying into the hoopla and saying yeah lets do this, lets do this, and then this happened, and it's like- it happened 12 days before school starts," Oseguera Navarro said.
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The school district is holding a special meeting on Saturday morning.
"This is not a one and done, attend the meetings, keep in touch with the meetings and get involved in these committees, they're going to be doing again to do this again. And really hold the board to the fire," Oseguera Navarro said.
Late Friday evening, San Jose City Councilmember Peter Ortiz said he'll be there to advocate for clear next steps.
"I might get up and discuss we need stability," Rivera said.
The first day of school is August 13.
