A parent petition and multiple public commenters told the Valley View School Board on Sept. 8 that the district’s superintendent search must be insulated from perceived conflicts of interest and greater transparency is required. Alberto Lopez, a parent and community member, told the board that 221 people had signed a petition in 24 hours asking the board to remove certain identified members from the search committee to avoid the appearance of entanglement.

Lopez said the concern is not personal but procedural: "Leadership must not only be impartial. It must also be perceived as impartial," he told the board, urging removal of members whose overlapping roles could raise questions about the independence of the process. He said a credible search is "one of the most consequential decisions the board will make."

Other speakers echoed the call for a transparent process. They warned that perceived conflicts — including overlapping roles or professional entanglements — would erode trust and make any appointment subject to later challenge. The parent petition, Lopez said, was a rapid community response that reflected deep concern about whether the board’s search would be fair and accountable.

Why it matters: a superintendent selection affects district priorities, labor relations, curriculum and administration; public confidence in the process is essential to legitimacy. Several speakers said restoring trust requires clear, documented steps to avoid even the appearance of favoritism.

Board members did not take action on the composition of the search at the meeting but acknowledged community concerns and said they would continue to review the process.

What to watch next: whether the board alters the search committee membership or posts additional public information about the search timeline and conflict-management measures.