Board unanimously backs appointment of Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha, to return with contract details

The Los Gatos–Saratoga Union High School District board voted unanimously to appoint Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha as superintendent following a presentation of community survey results and public comment praising his leadership.

District staff summarized a one‑week survey (Jan. 16–23) that produced 293 responses from parents, students, staff and community members and identified top priorities for a superintendent: uniting the community, coaching/team building, accessibility and visibility. Tanya de la Cruz, public information officer, presented the survey breakdown and summarized common themes including academic rigor, student well‑being and concerns about declining enrollment and staff retention.

Multiple trustees and public commenters spoke in support of Rocha’s appointment. Trustee comments described Rocha’s problem‑solving, relationship building and visible leadership; staff and classified/certificated endorsements were cited by the board as evidence of broad support.

Trustee Misty moved to appoint Rocha and the motion was seconded; the board then conducted a roll call vote and approved moving forward with the appointment unanimously. The board noted that contract terms and formal notice will return for approval at the next meeting.

Quotes from the record: Trustee Davies said Rocha "has been my pick" based on his problem‑solving and capacity to build relationships. A board member summarized staff and community emails endorsing his candidacy as "broad and extensive."

What happens next: The board confirmed the procedural step was to authorize the appointment, and that contract approval and final contract language will be brought back to a future public meeting for formal action.