Sonoma community concerned over superintendent Palazuelos’ hiring at county office of education

Dozens of community members voiced concerns and complaints after news was announced that Dr. Adrian Palazuelos reached a tentative agreement with the Sonoma County Office of Education to serve as a deputy superintendent for six months, beginning in early January.

Palazuelos served 18 months as superintendent of Sonoma Valley Unified School District before suddenly leaving last month.

“I think we can all do the math here,” wrote Mindy Curly Luby, co-founder of Strategic Education Advocacy in Sonoma, on the I-T’s Facebook page. “He separated on Nov. 30. Does anyone believe he interviewed and got a job at this level, one of the top levels in the county, in 15 days?”

Troy Knox, vice president of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, said he was “very surprised” to learn of Palazuelos’ new position.

Palazuelos would join a leadership team under the direction of Amie Carter, the county’s superintendent of schools-elect, who is set to take office in early January. Carter’s team also includes deputy superintendents Jennie Snyder and Greg Medici. Palazuelos would be contracted for six months of service, essentially until the end of the current school year, for a salary of $115,000.

“Dr. Palazuelos possesses a deep understanding of school operations and knows what needs to be put in place for all students in Sonoma County to succeed,” Carter said. “He brings experience at all levels of education, preschool-12, including a decade of district leadership. He holds a passion for student success, a lens on equity and insights into designing meaningful system change.”

In a news release, Palazuelos said, “I am deeply honored and humbled for the opportunity to join Superintendent Carter and the leadership at the county office of education. In my new role, I look forward to supporting our school districts and the students they serve throughout Sonoma County.”

He would be assigned to bridge efforts by multiple departments involving equity opportunities for students and diversifying the educational workforce as well as college and career readiness, including technical education.

“Hiring is strictly a county superintendent function. The board was notified of the hiring shortly before the news release was sent out,” said Gina Cuclis, who represents the Valley on the Sonoma County Board of Education, in an email.

Palazuelos agreed to a separation agreement with Sonoma Valley Unified on Nov. 18, in which he received a $115,000 lump-sum payment and medical benefits through May 31, if approved by the district’s health care provider. Knox said that the hiring of Palazuelos by SCOE has “no impact on his severance package.”

Palazuelos started in the district’s top job, with a salary of $230,000 a year, in June 2021.

“Dr. Palazuelos, along with staff support, led the transition from distance learning to all schools reopening in fall 2021,” Knox said. “He also oversaw the construction of the swimming pool complex at Sonoma Valley High School and coordinated efforts to bring forth a Facilities Master Plan that is currently in development.”

In the new Office of Education post, Palazuelos would work to accelerate efforts Carter identified during her campaign to build a teacher workforce and educational leadership team more reflective of the county’s diverse student population.

“My 90-day plan for Sonoma County highlights an immediate focus on equity, addressing student achievement outcomes and recruiting teachers from underrepresented communities,” Carter said. “Dr. Palazuelos will be acting under my direction to rapidly address both issues.”

Carter added, “When we talked before I asked him to join my leadership team, I was impressed with his grasp of data, deep and varied experience and the way he centered equity in every single one of our conversations. I could tell it wasn’t just a talking point with him, but something he lives and thinks about every day. I know he will work tirelessly on behalf of all of Sonoma County’s students and educators, including those in Sonoma Valley.”

Palazuelos reached the severance deal with Sonoma Valley Unified after he had been absent from the district for several weeks amid speculation within the school community about his job status. His absence was later said to be part of an extended medical leave, according to a Nov. 17 email from Acting Superintendent Elizabeth Kaufman.

Renea Mangani, a fifth-grade teacher at Prestwood Elementary School, wrote in an email, “I can assure you he won’t ‘work tirelessly.’ He didn't here. He was missing for weeks! That's not ‘tirelessly.’ That's bailing on your position … something no school staff can ever do without discipline or dismissal, and surely not with a pocketful of money and some benefits as well.”

According to the agreement, Palazuelos requested to leave his post, with his resignation effective on Nov. 30. Prior to that, he sought to have a small but important piece of his contract changed. As written, Palazuelos was required to tell the Sonoma Valley school district’s board if he applied for any job outside the district, but earlier in the fall he asked that it be changed so he only had to notify the board if he was a finalist for another position. The board denied that request, following legal counsel’s suggestion, according to a board report out of closed session.

He started in the district’s top job in 2021 after abruptly leaving a superintendent position at Fillmore Unified School District in Ventura County district after seven years of service. According to the Ventura County Star, Palazuelos arrived at a time of upheaval, when more than 30 Fillmore High School seniors were in danger of not graduating on time.

Under his leadership, the Ventura County Star said, the district increased access to Advanced Placement courses at the high school level, expanded the K-12 music program and created the Fillmore Adult School in 2016. The district also passed the $35 million Measure V bond in 2016 to improve schools and facilities.

In March 2021, Palazuelos entered into a mutual separation agreement with the Fillmore district. It wasn’t clear what caused it, but it surprised the school community and occurred shortly after the Fillmore board had a closed session discussion and action items regarding an informal midyear evaluation of Palazuelos’ performance and contract. He was hired in Sonoma three months later.

Reach the reporter, Dan Johnson, at daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com.

Correction: This updates the name of the newspaper to Ventura County Star.