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Pleasanton Unified School District’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning will be leaving the district after two years and, according to the district, there is no intention to bring that position back.
William Nelson has been serving as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at PUSD since July 2022. He succeeded Janelle Woodward, who retired after about two years in the same position.
But on May 14, the Paramount Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Nelson as its next assistant superintendent of educational services. Paramount is a city located in Los Angeles County.
“We appreciate Dr. Nelson’s service to the students and staff in PUSD and wish him well in his new position,” Superintendent David Haglund said in a statement to the Weekly.
Lanita Villaseñor, executive assistant to Haglund, told the Weekly that Nelson’s last day at PUSD will be on June 30 and that the reason for his departure was simply because he got the job at Paramount Unified.
Villaseñor also said that there will be no plans to fill Nelson’s position and the district will instead “collapse the role and reduce the number of executive cabinet from five to four.”
“Dr. Nelson resigned from his position due to finding another job, and the district saw an opportunity to reduce the executive cabinet,” she said.
According to a May 15 press release from Paramount Unified, Nelson’s first day at the new job will be on July 1. He will oversee early childhood education; elementary and secondary education; special education; and research, assessment and student information services.
“Nelson has a proven track record of strong educational leadership with deep experience in Educational Services,” Paramount Unified School District Superintendent Joshua Lightle said in the press release. “His commitments to academic excellence for all students, his equity work, and experience at multiple levels will be such an asset to our district and community.”
Nelson comes from a 27-year background in being a teacher, principal, senior district administrator and, most recently, an assistant superintendent. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of the Pacific, a master’s degree in cross cultural education from National University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Concordia University.
“I feel immensely grateful for the opportunity to join the Paramount family, and I’m committed wholeheartedly to serving our students, staff, and community,” Nelson said in the Paramount Unified press release. “I eagerly anticipate collaborating with everyone and utilizing our combined knowledge and skills to empower every (Paramount Unified School District) student, ensuring that they attain their college and future career goals and aspirations when they graduate from our district.”
