Two new trustees joined the Santa Clara County Board of Education amid a pending investigation, a newly appointed superintendent and months of turmoil and conflict within the county.
Following the November election, trustee Jorge Pacheco Jr. replaced incumbent Joseph DiSalvo, while trustee Jessica Speiser replaced incumbent Grace Mah, who has been the subject of at least two investigations for alleged wrongdoing.
Pacheco has served as a board member for the Oak Grove School District since 2018 and president of the California Latino School Boards Association since 2019. Born and raised in Santa Clara County, Pacheco said his priority is serving the county’s most vulnerable students. He also advocated for improved special education and fiscal responsibility.
Speiser served on the Los Altos School District board for four years and as president of the Santa Clara County School Boards Association for the 2023-24 school year. Speiser’s campaign advocated for ensuring students meet graduation requirements and are prepared for college or the workforce, expanding educator resources and improving transparency.
The leadership change comes months after the shocking removal of former superintendent of schools Mary Ann Dewan caused outrage in the community, resulting in Dewan subsequently suing the board and unveiling reports that suggest her firing stemmed from alleged tension with board members.
A recent state report criticized the board’s leadership for failing to follow policies and the “dysfunctional” relationship between board members and the office of education’s administration. And in November, interim superintendent Charles Hinman called for investigations into the county office’s finances and operations over a possible misuse of public funds.
The change also comes as the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors considers changes to the office of education, including looking into appointing board trustees and making the county superintendent of schools an elected position rather than the current process of appointment by trustees.