Dr. Garcia Sanchez, superintendent of DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, announced at the start of the school year that she will not seek renewal of her contract, which expires June 30, 2026. "After thoughtful reflection, I have decided not to seek a renewal of my contract as superintendent of DeKalb, CUSD 428," she said, reading a prepared statement to the board and community.

The announcement came during the superintendent's report, after the district reported an opening-day return to classrooms and lingering transportation issues. In her remarks Garcia Sanchez said the district had made progress during her tenure, pointing to modest graduation-rate improvements, stronger support for multilingual learners and social-emotional programs, the opening of Dr. Leroy A. Mitchell Elementary School, and the Beyond One Barbe Transition Center. "I remain committed to the work that lies ahead through the end of my contract on 06/30/2026 and to a smooth and productive transition in the months ahead," she said.

A board representative told the meeting, "The board of education accepts doctor Garcia Sanchez's notification that she is not seeking an employment contract beyond her current contract, which expires on 06/30/2026," and said the board would begin steps to select the next superintendent and ensure continuity of operations. The board said it would provide more detailed updates on the search process at its September meetings.

Why it matters: A superintendent transition sets a timetable for a districtwide search and can affect priorities, hiring and long-term projects. Garcia Sanchez said she will remain in her role until June 30, 2026, and the board committed to a process intended to preserve continuity.

What happened next: The board accepted the notification on the record and scheduled an update on the search process for the September meeting; Garcia Sanchez reiterated her commitment to lead through the end of her contract.