The Santa Clara County Office of Education’s embattled elected board has found a new superintendent.
Board of Education Trustees appointed David M. Toston on Wednesday after five months of political instability and division following the controversial firing of former superintendent Mary Ann Dewan in October. He will begin his new role May 1.
Toston was previously senior advisor at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, which focuses on statewide education initiatives around community engagement and school equity. His other roles include Associate Superintendent at the El Dorado County Office of Education and Assistant Superintendent at the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools. He was elected chair to the California Advisory Commission on Special Education.
“I am deeply honored to serve as Superintendent of the Santa Clara County Office of Education,” Toston said in an Office of Education statement announcing his appointment. “This role is both a privilege and a responsibility, and I look forward to partnering with our trustees, SCCOE teammates, districts, students, educators, families and community partners. Together, we will demonstrate what is possible through the strength of our diversity—ensuring every educator is supported in preparing students to achieve the hopes and dreams of their families and communities.”
Board of Education President Maimona Afzal Berta said Toston has demonstrated exceptional leadership on education in California.
“We are confident that he will guide the Santa Clara County Office of Education forward with vision and purpose,” Berta said in a statement.
It comes in a moment of upheaval for the district. Staff are being laid off in waves, which Office of Education leaders blame on declining enrollment and uncertainty over federal spending cuts. Meanwhile, the Board of Education’s majority faced backlash for Dewan’s firing from community leaders and state lawmakers. In response, the majority accused Dewan of misspending public funds – and announced a set of investigations into spending under her office.
A federal investigation also found more than $135,370 earmarked for preschool education program Head Start was misallocated to pay for non-Head Start staff and credit card purchases while Dewan was superintendent.
School district leaders didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Contact Brandon Pho at [email protected] or @brandonphooo on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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