A struggling East San Jose school district has a new leader at its helm.
The Alum Rock Union School District has named Marnie Hazelton as superintendent for three years through June 30, 2029. She takes the reins from Interim Superintendent George Sanchez, who was temporarily hired to lead the district for the month of July. The board of trustees approved Hazelton’s contract and appointment Thursday in a unanimous vote, with Trustee Minh Nguyen absent. Hazelton is expected to start in August, though no exact date has been set.
Hazelton served as superintendent of Englewood Public School District in New Jersey last year, and previously served as superintendent of Linden Public Schools in New Jersey and Roosevelt Union Free School District in New York. She earned her doctorate in educational and policy leadership from Hofstra University and her master’s degree in education from Brooklyn College. Her Alum Rock Union School District base salary is $275,000.
“Great school systems are built on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to student success, and I am excited to listen, learn and work alongside the Alum Rock community as we build a bright future for every student,” Hazelton said in a statement.
Board Vice President Andres Quintero said Hazelton is the right leader for Alum Rock Union School District because of her proven commitment to improving academic achievement and delivering results for students.
“My expectation is that her primary focus will be ensuring every child in our district has access to a high-quality education and that we continue raising student outcomes,” he told San José Spotlight. “Our district has a responsibility to be good stewards of the public’s assets. With several school sites now vacant, there will undoubtedly be outside interest. I know that Dr. Hazelton will protect those assets and ensure that any decisions made generate long-term, sustainable revenue that can be reinvested directly into educating our students.”
Hazelton is the latest education leader to take charge of the East San Jose school district that has seen high turnover for its superintendents in recent years. Following the board’s abrupt firing of Superintendent Hilaria Bauer in March 2024, trustees appointed Imee Almazan, followed by Emmanuel “Manny” Barbara, who stepped in as interim superintendents while the district sought a permanent replacement. In August 2025, the district fired then-Superintendent German Cerda, less than a year after he was hired, and Sandra Garcia became interim superintendent until Sanchez was hired in July.
Trustee Minh Pham is counting on Hazelton’s 10 years of experience as a superintendent to aid in the financial recovery of Alum Rock, including increasing enrollment.
“The district will benefit from a fresh set of eyes that can look at the district’s challenges objectively and the administrative know-how to sail out of today’s choppy waters,” Pham told San José Spotlight.
The school district faces ongoing financial issues. Two years ago, the board voted to close six schools in the 2025-26 school year as the cash-strapped district dealt with a $20 million budget deficit. The loss of one-time federal COVID dollars and a drop in enrollment — from more than 10,000 students in 2015-16 to approximately 7,270 students in 2024-25 — added to the decision.
The district laid off managers, bus drivers, child nutrition assistants, wellness site specialists and liaisons to address an $8 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year. The deficit is projected to grow to $9.5 million in the 2027-28 academic year due to a loss of grant funding. In an attempt to stabilize funding, the board has approved a parcel tax measure to go before voters in November.
Trustee Corina Herrera-Loera said the superintendent shapes the future of every student, educator and family the district serves. Hazelton is a leader with the vision, experience, courage, strength and heart to help Alum Rock move forward, she said.
“Our students deserve every opportunity to succeed, our families deserve to feel heard and valued and our educators and staff deserve a leader who recognizes their dedication and invests in their success,” Herrera-Loera told San José Spotlight. “Together, we have an opportunity to strengthen trust, shift the narrative about our community and create a future where every child, every family and every member of our district community can thrive.”
Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].
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