The Sequoia Union High School District is a public union school district in the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily serving the southern San Mateo County communities of Atherton, Belmont, East Palo Alto, Ladera, San Carlos, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Redwood City, and Woodside. The District currently serves more than 9,000 students, and also owns the radio station KCEA.
High Schools:
Charter Schools:
Other Schools:
The SUHSD Board of Trustees are elected by 5 districts, each representing a different geographic area served by the district. The trustees include:
Former Vice Principal Jennifer Cho of Carlmont High School was investigated by the district for inappropriate relationships with male students. During the investigation, Cho was placed on administrative leave before being reassigned to the district office. A police investigation in 2020 "had not found any evidence" that she committed any crime against students.
In 2020, the Sequoia District Teachers Association held a vote of no confidence against the district's then-superintendent, Mary Streshly. The teachers' union said that Streshly mishandled the district's COVID-19 response and that she struggled to make decisions and communicate a vision for the schools. Streshly resigned soon after.
On Friday, December 9, 2022, the Sequoia Union High School District called a special meeting and swore in two board members so they could participate in the private meeting that immediately followed. In that meeting they voted to hire attorney Eugene Whitlock as their legal representative. This exacerbated rumors that the new board was planning to fire Superintendent Dr. Darnise Williams. On Monday, December 12, 2022, the board heard public comment on the matter. They faced criticism from Sequoia District Teachers Association president Edith Salvatore for violating community trust. No community member expressed support for the board's actions. On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, the board announced Williams' resignation, confirming rumors. Many expressed their anger and frustration for the lack of communication about Williams' resignation. Williams received a $299,000 severance packageâÂÂthe same package she would have received under her contract had she been fired. Following the board's actions, the student newspaper at Menlo Atherton High School published an editorial criticizing the board's secrecy on their website and as a guest opinion on the Almanac.