I don't believe the accuser. She claims that she has worked for 5 superintendents and lists them by name since Callan. Not only does she spell Callan's name wrong but she neglects to mention a sixth siperintendent named Bob Kroetch between Callan and Casey. This leads me to believe someone composed the email other than an actual employee. I believe Rubino. He must be re-instated. And the board needs to resign. Also Parvin Ahmadi routinely hugged employees and students. Why was she allowed to continuously touch people without being told to stop. Also on the PUSD web page a teacher is hugging a student in a group shot with Ochoa. Why is this allowed? And what is the story about Lauren Andrade who now has expired credentials?

Things are real fishy at the district.

The school board president said ""The board must follow employment and privacy laws, and therefore cannot discuss personnel matters."

However, if you are firing somebody without cause, I don't think that falls into employment and privacy laws.

I hope the weekly pursues this more and challenges the right to privacy for firing without case, and it seems the person affected does not even know the reason.

Since the public is on the hook for paying a large amount since the superintendent was terminated without cause, we have the right to know why.

I realize as a Pleasanton resident I probably contributed to this problem since I probably voted for one or more of the current board members but is a recall an option?. I believe in the need for a well educated nonindoctrinated students and this constant turnover looking for someone the union can manipulate can't be helping.

PUSD is an embarrassing mess. We used to be the crown jewel of school districts in the Tri-Valley. If Mr. Rubino had been terminated for cause PUSD would not have paid him. PUSD is wasting taxpayer money and ruining our reputation as well. Time to clean house on the PUSD board!

I have been a Pleasanton property owner with public school age kids since 2001. I could not agree more with your 3/24/2017 editorial regarding Rick Rubino.

Even before learning more details (about alleged "harrassment" of a female employee) I sensed there was a witchhunt here not unlike the McCarthy hearings in the 1950's. What have we come to? One employee is "disappointed" and the PUSD hires a law firm to investigate, fires the superintendent, and then all the Pleasanton students have no superintendent for the entire school year! The Board ought to be ashamed of itself. It should also investigate whether employees who are "disappointed" not only over-react but whose reactions result in unlawful or just plain wrong outcomes -- like this one.

It's obvious, as Mr Rubino points that, that the PUSD Board paying Mr Rubino his whole year salary is proof of his innocence. In fact they probably had to do so very fast, because if they did not he would have grounds to sue the District and City for wrongful termination and for unfairly disparaging his reputation.

I don't know all the details and I don't know Mr Rubino but I know enough now to express solidarity with him, and criticize the Board. There are evidently some awful vindictive overly-judgmental staff people who work for the District that ought to be rooted out, fast. The Board trustees are just as bad. They are cowardly, lack leadership, and every one of them ought to be replaced.

Richard, as you are reposting; I'll use my same response.

Richard, I hardly think the board took a protracted amount of time, spent money, and hired Rubino just so they could fire him. Something happened; we just don't know what it was--and I really don't think the email was the tipping point.

Ultimately, your school site, your teachers and principals and classified staff, are ensuring your students are getting the education you expect. Good people are in place at the district office with the same intention.

Again, Rubino knows why he was let go. He agreed to leave with his pockets full of money. That does not in any way make him innocent. I would not express solidarity with him.

However, taking exception with four board members and their attorneys . . . that is where one should put pressure for the truth.