Duarte Unified approves superintendent contract for Dr. Jessica Medrano, effective Nov. 17, 2025

The Duarte Unified School District Board on Nov. 13 approved an employment agreement for Dr. Jessica Medrano to serve as superintendent, effective Nov. 17, 2025. Board members presented an oral summary consistent with open-meeting law requirements before taking the vote.

Key contract terms presented to the board included a contract term from Nov. 17, 2025, through June 30, 2029; an annual base salary of $263,000; eligibility for percentage salary increases consistent with the district’s adopted salary schedule; paid vacation earned at 27 days per year with accrual up to a 40-day maximum (excess days paid out at year-end); paid sick leave up to 22 days per year; participation in CalSTRS; a life insurance policy in the amount of $250,000; reimbursement for professional conferences and memberships in community-based organizations and associations of school administration; and access to professional consultative services for up to $12,000 per year for two years.

Board member Reyes moved approval and Board member Diaz seconded. The board conducted a roll-call vote that recorded all five members in favor. After the vote, Dr. Medrano thanked the board and said she was excited to get started and would officially begin on Monday. Interim Superintendent Crosby and board members offered public thanks for Crosby’s interim work and said they look forward to working with Dr. Medrano.

The board acknowledged two ministerial corrections to the contract packet (a misspelling of Board member Reyes’ name and a correction in a certificated report) before the vote. The district did not disclose additional negotiation details or any contingent performance metrics in the open session notes.