Ousted Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan dismissed her lawsuit Thursday against the Board of Education that fired her last fall, concluding a months-long battle in an office plagued by controversy and turmoil.
Dewan’s legal team said that she decided to step back from the lawsuit not because the case lacked merit, but in hopes that it would allow the county office of education to turn their attention to the students and community, who “deserve healing, not further division.”
“This community means everything to me,” Dewan said in a statement Thursday. “I have served this community with dedication and distinction. I will continue to serve this community.”
In a news release Friday, the Santa Clara County Office of Education said Dewan’s dismissal marks a “positive resolution” to the matter and reaffirms confidence in the board’s actions.
“Dr. Dewan’s lawsuit against the Santa Clara County Board of Education was without merit from the start and was an attempt to distract from the concerns about the operations of the office under her tenure,” said interim superintendent Charles Hinman in a statement Friday. “There are still ongoing matters that need to be addressed.”
In November Hinman launched an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds, including unauthorized legal expenses, improper contract awards and additional security concerns.
Dewan’s dismissal comes as the county office of education faces financial uncertainty. The office announced layoffs earlier this month over declining enrollment, growing operational costs and potential cuts to state and federal funding. The office said it is expecting to lose around $74.6 million in state and federal grant funding.
Dewan’s lawsuit stemmed from her shock removal in October, which she said was without cause or explanation and violated her contract. The board has offered no explanation for her termination, but reports suggested that her firing stemmed from alleged tension with board members.
A federal report released in February revealed the county office of education misused $135,370 in federal funds under Dewan’s administration, but leaders disagreed on the reason. Some board of education members alleged former leadership was to blame for the mistake and the “intentional and illegitimate” effort to undermine the board’s authority, while others — including Dewan herself — said it was a simple accounting error that was quickly fixed.
Board members were divided on Dewan’s decision to dismiss her lawsuit against the board of education.
“From the start, this case had no merit and should never have been filed because it was completely baseless,” said board president Maimona Afzal Berta in a statement Friday. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to serving the ongoing interests of the students, educators, and the community of Santa Clara County and will continue to ensure they are at the forefront of all of our efforts.”
But board member Tara Sreekrishnan said Dewan’s decision “reflects a thoughtful desire to move forward in the best interest of students and the community” and called on the board to follow suit.
“I hope the board can follow that example by ending their actions to unfairly discredit her and refocusing on the urgent challenges ahead,” she said in a statement Thursday. “Like stabilizing our workforce, rebuilding trust and supporting our students.”
Dewan’s legal team said her decision to dismiss the case without prejudice means she has the opportunity to refile if necessary.
“Dr. Dewan will not allow the board’s hostility toward her to distract the Office of Education from the mission of serving students and educators,” her counsel said in a statement Thursday. “While we stand firmly behind the legal principles at stake, Dr. Dewan is choosing to take the high road — for the sake of our schools and students.”
“It’s time for the focus to be solely on our children,” Dewan said. “That has always been my compass.”
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