*Updated Dec. 27, 2022
Carrie Du Bois announced at the Sequoia Union District board meeting on Dec. 14 that Superintendent Darnise Williams, who was not present, will resign.
As the district’s first Black female superintendent, Williams, hired by the board in 2021, helped the district recover after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Board members, including board president Carrie Du Bois, have thanked Williams for her role as superintendent.
“As board members, we thank Superintendent Williams for her grace, dedication, and leadership during this unprecedented time. We worked together during labor negotiations with the result of a multi-year contract reaching the long-standing effort of transitioning health benefits that resulted in ongoing savings to the district, reopening of schools, and advancing educational outcomes and equitable access for all students. We could not have done it without her,” Du Bois said in the Sequoia District press release.
According to the press release, her resignation was a mutual agreement between the district and Williams. The decision to resign was reached based on an “amicable agreement” between Williams and the board, also noted in the press release.
The announcement of her resignation came as a shock to many staff members, as the announcement was not on the agenda previous to the meeting. However, according to vice president Richard Ginn, non-action items are not required to be on the agenda 72 hours in advance, unlike action items.
“It was not [on the agenda]. It was an announcement that board president Carry DuBois thought was relevant to share, and it was a public press release that she just read,” Ginn said.
Regarding a new superintendent, the board recently met to discuss the open position. Their decision resulted in the appointment of Crystal Leach as interim superintendent.
Leach previously worked in the superintendent’s senior cabinet in the Cabrillo Unified School District. She also served as a previous interim superintendent in the Sequoia District after the resignation of Superintendent Mary Streshly back in 2020.
According to Ginn, the permanent superintendent position will be discussed at the next board meeting on Jan. 18.
As for Williams’ resignation, information on the reason for her departure has yet to be released.
*This is a breaking news story. The article will be updated with more information.
