The Pleasanton school board appointed former Amador Valley High principal Jim Hansen as the interim superintendent for the 2015-16 school year during a special closed-session meeting Monday.
Hansen is replacing outgoing superintendent Parvin Ahmadi, who is set to become the new superintendent of Castro Valley Unified School District next Wednesday.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues at PUSD and engaging with the many students, parents and community members I had the pleasure of meeting over the years, as well as those who are new to Pleasanton,” Hansen said.
Hansen has worked in public education for 34 years, at many different levels, before retiring from PUSD in 2013 as Amador Valley’s principal.
“Jim is a person who cares passionately about Pleasanton and the education of our children, and we are grateful that he has agreed to re-join us during this period,” board president Valerie Arkin said in a statement released Monday night.
Arkin added, “As we embark on a search for a permanent superintendent, one that will commence in the beginning of the upcoming school year, we look forward to involving our staff and community in a very thorough, inclusive and transparent process.”
Prior to closed session Monday evening, seven people spoke during community comment asking board members to carefully consider the interim superintendent.
“An interim superintendent will need to be a motivator and have integrity, ethics and strong communication skills in order to effectively reach district employees and the community to boost morale and begin to mend the many fractures in this community,” said PUSD employee Linda Pipe, who also thanked trustees for their continued consideration in the decision process.
Kay Ayala echoed Pipe’s statements and added that the board needs to appoint a proven leader in the community who is known and respected.
Pleasanton parent Chris Jacobs also addressed the board about rumors of deputy superintendent Luz Cazares walking out of the boardroom during the June 9 school board meeting and using profanity directed toward a board member in front of parents and students in the hallway.
Former trustee Jeff Bowser took to the podium after Jacobs’ comments and attempted to dispel the accusations, saying he was there when Cazares walked out to use the bathroom and no profanity was used.
