Santa Clara Unified School District, California

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Santa Clara Unified School District
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Santa Clara County, California
District details
Superintendent: Gary Waddell
# of school board members: 7
Website: Link

Santa Clara Unified School District is a school district in California.

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Superintendent

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 		This information is updated as we become aware of changes. Please contact us with any updates.

Gary Waddell is the superintendent of the Santa Clara Unified School District. Waddell was appointed interim superintendent in July 2022 and as full superintendent in January 2023.

Waddell's previous career experience includes working as deputy superintendent for the San Mateo County Office of Education and associate superintendent for the Santa Clara County Office of Education.[1]

Past superintendents

  • Stella M. Kemp was the superintendent of the Santa Clara Unified School District from July 1, 2019 until 2022.[2] Kemp's previous career experience includes working as a teacher, regional administrator, and district office administrator.[3]
  • Stanley Rose III was the superintendent of the Santa Clara Unified School District from 2013 to 2019. Rose's previous career experience included working as the superintendent of the San Benito High School District.[2][4]

School board

The Santa Clara Unified School District school board consists of seven members elected to four-year terms.[5] The district switched from electing board members at large to electing board members by trustee area in November 2022.[6] 

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 		This officeholder information was last updated on December 4, 2024. Please contact us with any updates.
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Elections

See also: Santa Clara Unified School District elections in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024

Members of the Santa Clara Unified School District school board are elected to four-year terms. Three or four seats are up for election on a staggered basis every even-numbered year in November.

Three seats on the board were up for general election on November 5, 2024.


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Public participation in board meetings

The Santa Clara Unified School District school board maintains the following policy on public testimony during board meetings:[7]

“

Members of the public are encouraged to attend Board meetings and to address the Board concerning any item on the agenda or within the Board's jurisdiction. So as not to inhibit public participation, persons attending Board meetings shall not be requested to sign in, complete a questionnaire, or otherwise provide their name or other information as a condition of attending the meeting, except that if the meeting is conducted using remote public participation or with a Board member attending remotely pursuant to Government Code 54953, a member of the public desiring to provide comment through the use of a third party internet website or online platform may be required to register as required by the third party provider.

In order to conduct district business in an orderly and efficient manner, the Board requires that public presentations to the Board comply with the following procedures:

1. The Board shall give members of the public an opportunity to address the Board on any item of interest to the public that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board, either before or during the Board's consideration of the item. (Education Code 35145.5; Government Code 54954.3)
2. At a time so designated on the agenda at a regular meeting, members of the public may bring before the Board matters that are not listed on the agenda. The Board shall take no action or discussion on any item not appearing on the posted agenda, except as authorized by law. (Education Code 35145.5; Government Code 54954.2)
3. Without taking action, Board members or district staff members may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by the public about items not appearing on the agenda. Additionally, on their own initiative or in response to questions posed by the public, Board members or staff members may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, or make a brief report on their own activities. (Government Code 54954.2)
Furthermore, the Board or a Board member may provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information, ask staff to report back to the Board at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter, or take action directing staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. (Government Code 54954.2)
4. The Board need not allow the public to speak on any item that has already been considered by a committee composed exclusively of Board members at a public meeting where the public had the opportunity to address the committee on that item. However, if the Board determines that the item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item, the Board shall provide an opportunity for the public to speak. (Government Code 54953)
5. A person wishing to be heard by the Board shall first be recognized by the president and shall then proceed to comment as briefly as the subject permits.
In general, individual speakers will be allowed three two minutes to address the Board on each agenda or nonagenda item, and the Board will limit the total time for public input on each item to 20 minutes. However, in exceptional circumstances when necessary to ensure full opportunity for public input, the Board president may, with Board consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time allotted for each speaker. Any such adjustment shall be done equitably so as to allow a diversity of viewpoints. The president may also ask members of the public with the same viewpoint to select a few individuals to address the Board on behalf of that viewpoint.
In order to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address the Board, any member of the public who utilizes a translator shall be provided at least twice the allotted time to address the Board, unless simultaneous translation equipment is used to allow the Board to hear the translated public testimony simultaneously. (Government Code 54954.3)
6. The presiding member may rule on the appropriateness of a topic, subject to the following conditions:
a. If a topic would be suitably addressed at a later time, the presiding member may indicate the time and place when it should be presented.
b. The Board shall not prohibit public criticism of its policies, procedures, programs, services, acts, or omissions. (Government Code 54954.3)
c. The Board shall not prohibit public criticism of district employees. However, whenever a member of the public initiates specific complaints or charges against an individual employee, the presiding membershall inform the complainant of the appropriate complaint procedure.​​​​​​​
7. The presiding member shall not permit actual disruption of Board meetings. Actual disruption by an individual or group or any conduct or statements that threaten the safety of any person(s) at the meeting shall be grounds for the member to terminate the privilege of addressing the Board and remove the individual from the meeting.

The presiding member conducting a meeting or their or designee may remove or cause the removal of, an individual for actually disrupting the meeting. A Board vote is not required to empower the presiding member or their designee to take action to remove a member of the public who is disrupting the meeting. Prior to removal, the individual shall be warned that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that failure to cease the disruptive behavior may result in removal. If, after being warned, the individual does not promptly cease the disruptive behavior, the presiding member or designee, may then remove the individual from the meeting. (Government Code 549595)

When an individual's behavior constitutes the use of force or a true threat of force, the individual shall be removed from a Board meeting without a warning. (Government Code 54957.95)

Disrupting means engaging in behavior during a Board meeting that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, a failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body pursuant to Section 54954.3 or any other law, or engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force. (Government Code 54957.95)

True threat of force means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an actual threat to use force by the person making the threat. (Government Code 54957.95)

Additionally, in case of a disturbance, the presiding member or designee may order the room cleared if necessary. In this case, members of the media not participating in the disturbance shall be allowed to remain, and individuals not participating in such disturbances may be allowed to remain at the discretion of the Board. When the room is ordered cleared due to a disturbance, further Board proceedings shall concern only matters appearing on the agenda. (Government Code 54957.9)

When disruptive conduct occurs, the Board may decide to recess the meeting to help restore order, or if removing the disruptive individual(s) or clearing the room is not feasible, move the meeting to another location. The Board may direct the Superintendent or designee to contact local law enforcement as necessary.

The legislative body of a local agency may adjourn any regular, adjourned regular, special or adjourned special meeting to a time and place specified in the order of adjournment. When an order of adjournment of any meeting fails to state the hour at which the adjourned meeting is to be held, it shall be held at the hour specified for regular meetings by ordinance, resolution, bylaw, or other rule. (Government Code 54955)[8]

”


District map

School district map

Budget

The following statistics were published by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.[9]

Revenue, 2020-2021
SOURCE AMOUNT AMOUNT PER STUDENT PERCENT
Federal: $25,822,000 $1,744 6%
Local: $381,932,000 $25,792 84%
State: $47,991,000 $3,241 10%
Total: $455,745,000 $30,777
Expenditures, 2020-2021
TYPE AMOUNT AMOUNT PER STUDENT PERCENT
Total Expenditures: $551,616,000 $37,251
Total Current Expenditures: $301,251,000 $20,343
Instructional Expenditures: $185,967,000 $12,558 34%
Student and Staff Support: $33,464,000 $2,259 6%
Administration: $43,426,000 $2,932 8%
Operations, Food Service, Other: $38,394,000 $2,592 7%
Total Capital Outlay: $206,064,000 $13,915
Construction: $187,726,000 $12,677
Total Non El-Sec Education & Other: $3,908,000 $263
Interest on Debt: $39,881,000 $2,693


Teacher salaries

The following salary information was pulled from the district's teacher salary schedule. A salary schedule is a list of expected compensations based on variables such as position, years employed, and education level. It may not reflect actual teacher salaries in the district.

Year Minimum Maximum
2023-2024[10] $89,152 $159,773
2020-2021[11] $77,556 $138,993

Academic performance

Each year, state and local education agencies use tests and other standards to assess student proficiency. Although the data below was published by the U.S. Department of Education, proficiency measurements are established by the states. As a result, proficiency levels are not comparable between different states and year-over-year proficiency levels within a district may not be comparable because states may change their proficiency measurements.[12]

The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2020-2021 49 66 21-39 20-24 >=50 60-69 55-59
2018-2019 52 73 30-34 26 30-39 62 61
2017-2018 50 70 30-34 26 30-39 59 59
2016-2017 49 70 30-34 23 30-39 57 60
2015-2016 49 70 30-34 23 40-49 58 59
2014-2015 44 66 20-24 18 30-39 57 54
2013-2014 66 80 40-49 50 <50 70-79 70-74
2012-2013 63 78 50-54 44 50-59 70-74 71
2011-2012 63 78 45-49 46 60-69 69 70
2010-2011 61 78 46 43 50-59 70-74 68

The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2020-2021 66 77 21-39 45-49 PS 70-79 70-74
2018-2019 62 77 50-54 40 50-59 73 74
2017-2018 58 74 40-44 36 40-49 69 69
2016-2017 58 74 40-44 35 30-39 70 70
2015-2016 56 73 35-39 34 50-59 71 68
2014-2015 50 69 30-34 28 30-39 64 62
2013-2014 66 78 30-39 50 >=50 80-89 75-79
2012-2013 65 77 50-54 47 60-69 75-79 75
2011-2012 65 76 55-59 47 60-69 78 76
2010-2011 63 76 54 46 50-59 70-74 75

The following table shows the graduation rate of district students each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2019-2020 87 91 80-89 84 PS >=90 80-84
2018-2019 87 89 >=90 83 >=50 80-89 90-94
2017-2018 89 94 >=90 85 PS 80-89 85-89
2016-2017 85 89 80-89 81 >=50 80-89 85-89
2015-2016 84 92 80-89 77 PS >=80 85-89
2014-2015 82 93 70-79 73 >=50 80-89 85-89
2013-2014 82 89 70-79 75 >=50 60-79 85-89
2012-2013 81 89 70-79 74 PS 80-89 80-84
2011-2012 83 90 90-94 74 <50 60-79 85-89
2010-2011 81 88 80-89 70 PS >=80 86


Students

Year Enrollment Year-to-year change (%)
2022-2023 13,919 -0.8
2021-2022 14,028 -5.6
2020-2021 14,808 -3.4
2019-2020 15,306 -0.5
2018-2019 15,387 -0.8
2017-2018 15,509 0.6
2016-2017 15,409 0.1
2015-2016 15,388 0.6
2014-2015 15,298 -0.9
2013-2014 15,434 1.8
2012-2013 15,151 -0.9
2011-2012 15,289 -0.6
2010-2011 15,383 2.9
2009-2010 14,939 1.4
2008-2009 14,729 2.6
2007-2008 14,343 1.3
2006-2007 14,151 0.2
2005-2006 14,129 1.2
2004-2005 13,962 -0.1
2003-2004 13,976 2.5
2002-2003 13,623 0.5
2001-2002 13,555 -4.1
2000-2001 14,107 -3.4
1999-2000 14,587 0.0
Racial Demographics, 2022-2023
RACE Santa Clara Unified School District (%) California K-12 STUDENTS (%)
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.5 0.0
Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander 35.8 0.0
Black 2.6 0.0
Hispanic 36.6 0.0
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.4 0.0
Two or More Races 6.3 0.0
White 17.7 0.0

Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Staff

As of the 2022-2023 school year, Santa Clara Unified School District had 720.69 full-time classroom teachers. The student-teacher ratio was 19.31.

Teachers, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF TEACHERS
Prekindergarten: 0.00
Kindergarten: 64.89
Elementary: 420.36
Secondary: 235.44
Total: 720.69

Santa Clara Unified School District employed 10.00 district administrators and 50.00 school administrators as of the 2022-2023 school year.

Administrators, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS
District Administrators: 10.00
District Administrative Support: 51.74
School Administrators: 50.00
School Administrative Support: 84.60
Other staff, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF OTHER STAFF
Instructional Aides: 241.65
Instruc. Coordinators & Supervisors: 0.00
Total Guidance Counselors: 28.50
Elementary Guidance Counselors: 11.00
Secondary Guidance Counselors: 16.00
Librarians/Media Specialists: 7.00
Library/Media Support: 0.00
Student Support Services: 28.14
Other Support Services: 359.75


Schools

The Santa Clara Unified School District operates 30 schools. They are listed below in alphabetical order.
List of schools
SCHOOL NAMENUMBER OF STUDENTSGRADES
Abram Agnew Elementary317KG-5
Adrian Wilcox High1,8599-12
Bowers Elementary232KG-5
Bracher Elementary236KG-5
Braly Elementary352KG-5
Briarwood Elementary287KG-5
Buchser Middle7156-8
Central Park Elementary430KG-5
C. W. Haman Elementary319KG-5
Dolores Huerta Middle3776-8
Don Callejon581KG-8
George Mayne Elementary300KG-5
Juan Cabrillo Middle8176-8
Kathleen Macdonald High2099-12
Kathryn Hughes Elementary270KG-5
Laurelwood Elementary521KG-5
Marian A. Peterson Middle7296-8
Millikin Elementary518KG-5
Mission Early College High1599-12
Montague Elementary272KG-5
New Valley Continuation High1699-12
Pomeroy Elementary300KG-5
Ponderosa Elementary501KG-5
Santa Clara Community Day106-12
Santa Clara High1,8499-12
Scott Lane Elementary396KG-5
Sutter Elementary305KG-5
Washington Open Elementary309KG-5
Westwood Elementary382KG-5
Wilson Alternative163KG-12

Noteworthy events

2016: Legal conflicts with trustee cost district nearly $400,000

Former Santa Clara Unified School District board member Christopher Stampolis cost the district $396,884 between August 2014 and March 2016, according to the Santa Clara Weekly. The costs came from legal fees attached to a restraining order filed against Stampolis by Peterson Middle School principal Susan Harris in 2014 and renewed in 2015 after he displayed threatening behavior, including miming the act of pointing a gun at Harris. Other costs to the district came from a harassment complaint Stampolis filed against Harris in 2014 in which she was cleared by the district, a lawsuit his son filed against the district alleging false imprisonment that was thrown out on a technicality, his $4,800 annual trustee stipend, and a conflict of interest lawsuit due to Stampolis' participation in board discussions involving his employer.[13][14][15]

The conflict of interest lawsuit resulted in Stampolis paying the district $4,192. It was filed by the district against Stampolis in October 2015 and resolved in January 2017.[16] District officials alleged he had violated the Santa Clara Unified board of trustees' conflict of interest policy as well as state law by participating in board discussions involving an umbrella organization that represented the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA). Stampolis' company, Praxis House, was hired by the Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition, a part of LIUNA, to provide government and community relations services from 2012 to 2014.[13] The district asked the court to require Stampolis to disclose the details of his consulting work for the Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition, to recuse himself in future board discussions involving LIUNA, and to compensate the district for its legal fees.[17]

Stampolis was up for re-election on November 8, 2016, but he did not file to run. Instead, he ran for the Trustee Area 2 seat on the West Valley-Mission Community College District, and he lost that election.[18][19]

Contact information

Santa Clara Unified School District seal.jpg

Santa Clara Unified School District
1889 Lawrence Rd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Phone: 408-423-2000


About school boards

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See also

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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Kathleen MacDonald High School, "Board Names Dr. Gary Waddell Permanent Superintendent," accessed December 19, 2023
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Santa Clara Unified School District, "Santa Clara Unified School District Welcomes Dr. Stella Kemp," accessed November 6, 2019
  3. ↑ Santa Clara Unified School District, "Superintendent," accessed November 6, 2019
  4. ↑ San Jose Mercury News, "Santa Clara Unified names new superintendent," May 16, 2013
  5. ↑ Santa Clara Unified School District, "Board of Trustees Homepage," accessed June 14, 2021
  6. ↑ Santa Clara Unified School District, "Trustee Areas," accessed September 28, 2022
  7. ↑ Santa Clara Unified School District, "BB 9323 Board Bylaws: Meeting Conduct," accessed July 1, 2016
  8. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  9. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed June 17, 2024
  10. ↑ Santa Clara Unified School District, "Teachers’ Salary Schedule (2023-2024 School Year—188 Days)," accessed February 6, 2024
  11. ↑ Santa Clara Unified School District, "Teachers’ Salary Schedule 2020-2021 School Year," accessed June 14, 2021
  12. ↑ U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC: EDFacts, "State Assessments in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics- School Year 2018-19 EDFacts Data Documentation," accessed February 25, 2021
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 The Silicon Valley Voice, "Chris Stampolis: The $400,000 Schools Trustee," March 9, 2016
  14. ↑ The Mercury News, "Chris Stampolis ordered to pay $19,000 in legal costs for principal he harassed," November 14, 2014
  15. ↑ The Mercury News, "Stampolis loses claim for $1,500 from Santa Clara Unified School District," January 20, 2015
  16. ↑ Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, "Case Information Portal: 2015-1-CV-286790," accessed February 20, 2017
  17. ↑ The Silicon Valley Voice, "District Sues Trustee in Conflict of Interest Dispute," November 4, 2015
  18. ↑ Santa Clara County, "November 8, 2016 Presidential General Election Summary," accessed November 9, 2016
  19. ↑ Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, "Contest/Candidate Proof List," accessed August 24, 2016
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