Placentia‑Yorba Linda board accepts outgoing superintendent's resignation, directs RFP for search firm

The Placentia‑Yorba Linda Unified School District Board of Education on April 22 approved the outgoing superintendent's request to waive a 45‑day resignation notice and accepted the resignation effective April 30, 2025. The board later voted unanimously to direct staff to pursue a request for proposals (RFP) from executive search firms to help identify the district's next superintendent.

Board President (presiding officer) reported the closed‑session action, saying the resignation and waiver were approved by motion. Trustee Carrie Buck and Trustee Tricia Quintero were recorded as the mover and seconder for that closed‑session action; the board recorded the vote as unanimous. At the open meeting trustees framed the next step as issuing an RFP so the board can review search‑firm proposals in public sessions.

The board debated timing and community engagement for the search, with Trustee Frazier making the motion to begin the search process. "I'll make a motion that the Board of Education consider to use a search firm or a facilitator to assist in identification of a new superintendent for the PYLUSD," he said during the meeting, prompting discussion about whether to pursue spring recruiting or target a January start date for a new hire. Staff explained the RFP can specify the level of board involvement, propose outreach methods (surveys, focus groups, site visits) and present firms for the board to evaluate at upcoming meetings.

Trustees repeatedly emphasized community input. Several members urged focus groups and targeted surveys so the district can gather more in‑depth stakeholder feedback rather than relying solely on brief online surveys. One trustee asked that RFP language be cautious about ethical constraints — for example whether a search firm would proactively contact sitting superintendents — and staff said such provisions could be carefully worded into the RFP.

The board then took a roll‑call vote to direct staff to pursue the RFP; the vote was recorded as unanimous. The board also completed routine business, including approving the meeting agenda earlier in the evening and adjourning after the study session.

Public comment earlier in the meeting included a single speaker, Linda Cohn, who questioned past district investigations and raised an allegation about funds at Valencia High School; her remarks were during the public‑comment period and did not result in board action. Cohn asked, "Who stole that $1,900,000 from the Valencia High School cafeteria?" and urged trustees to review promised forensic and legal reviews.

What's next: Staff will draft an RFP that outlines timelines, levels of community engagement and presentation requirements for candidate search firms; proposals will be presented at a future board meeting for trustee review and possible selection of firms to support the superintendent search.