UPDATE: The Santa Clara County Office of Education board has confirmed findings of serious misuse of public funds by former superintendent Mary Ann Dewan during a heated meeting on Wednesday night. The investigation, spanning over a year, sheds light on allegations that public dollars were improperly used and that board policies were violated.
The board’s report detailed multiple shocking findings, including the misuse of over $135,370 in federal Head Start funds—critical resources aimed at supporting low-income families with children under five. This revelation comes on the heels of Dewan’s unexpected removal in a 4-2 vote last year, which was classified as “without cause.”
According to board president Maimona Afzal Berta, the issues stemmed from Dewan’s handling of complaints related to the Head Start program. However, the report did not provide specific examples of wrongdoing nor reveal the names of the law firms involved in the independent review.
The investigation uncovered that under Dewan’s leadership, public funds were redirected for legal expenses and investigations concerning the board itself. Board members described these actions as a “failed cover-up” intended to undermine their authority. Dewan, however, labeled these allegations as “meritless, malicious and baseless,” asserting that she acted within the law throughout her tenure.
Community reactions were mixed during the board meeting. Some Head Start staff expressed gratitude for the investigation, while others, including Riju Krishna, president of the Association of County Educators, raised concerns that the alleged financial mismanagement could not solely be attributed to Dewan. “What is your plan…to rebuild the school oversight?” he challenged current superintendent David Toston.
Further complicating the narrative, former board president Claudia Rossi defended Dewan, arguing that the investigation has wasted public funds without delivering concrete evidence of wrongdoing. Current board member Don Rocha countered these claims, stating he has never seen an agency so detached from community interests as the Santa Clara County Office of Education was under Dewan’s leadership.
In response to the investigation’s findings, the board proposed several policy changes aimed at preventing future misuse of funds. However, board member Tara Sreekrishnan criticized these proposals as centralizing power and reducing transparency.
The report’s findings come amid ongoing scrutiny of the county office of education, with multiple investigations indicating a troubling history of tensions between the leadership and board members. As the community grapples with these developments, the future of the Santa Clara County Office of Education hangs in the balance, prompting urgent calls for reform and accountability.
Next Steps: The board will continue to address these findings in upcoming meetings, with community members eagerly awaiting actionable plans to restore trust and ensure proper management of educational funds.
