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Board tables superintendent search; directs staff to hold public forum and survey before deciding
Summary
The board postponed a decision on how to run the 2025–26 superintendent recruitment, voting to delay choice of search method and asking staff to gather community feedback and host a public forum where Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha can be introduced.
The Los Gatos‑Saratoga Union High School District board voted Jan. 14 to table a decision on how to proceed with the 2025–26 superintendent recruitment and asked staff to schedule public outreach before selecting a search method.
The board had been presented three options: hire an external search firm (estimated cost about $30,000), conduct the search using internal Human Resources staff, or appoint Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha to the post without an external search. HR director Dagmar Derrickson explained the pros and cons of each approach and provided a hypothetical timeline for an external search that could conclude with a July 1 start date for a new superintendent.
After public comments and remarks from staff and community members, trustees discussed the merits of appointing Rocha — several trustees and staff praised his experience and leadership — while also acknowledging community concerns about transparency. One public speaker and multiple teachers urged the board to consider appointing Rocha directly. At the same time, board members said a community forum and a short survey would give broader stakeholders an opportunity to provide input.
A motion to table the board’s procedural decision passed in a roll call vote, 5‑0. The board instructed staff to prepare a community survey and arrange a public forum or forum(s) that would allow the public to meet Rocha and submit feedback prior to the board selecting a recruitment option at a follow‑up meeting.
The transcript records the roll call on the motion to table as follows: President Chen — yes; Vice President Tseng — yes; Clerk Bond — yes; Trustee Davies — yes; Trustee Schultz — yes. No vote to appoint a superintendent was taken at the Jan. 14 meeting.
District staff said they will work with trustees to develop the survey questions and the forum format. Trustees said they hope to complete required outreach and return to the question promptly, with one trustee expressing a preference to resolve the matter by the board’s next meeting.
Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha and HR Director Dagmar Derrickson presented the options and answered board questions during the meeting; multiple staff and community speakers spoke in favor of a rapid appointment but asked that the board allow community input first.
