Express: Sunol launches superintendent search | Special master to oversee Dublin women\'s prison | Latest on Amador HS fire

From:	express@pleasantonweekly.com
Domain:	IP info pleasantonweekly.com
MX-server:	IP info mail60.suw231.rsgsv.net
Size:	90683 Bytes

Create:	2024-03-19
Update:	2024-03-19
Score:	0
Safe:	No

Outbound domains: EmbarcaderoMediaGroup.us10.list-manage.com | embarcadero-media.mailchimpsites.com | us10.campaign-archive.com |

March 19, 2024

<p>An interim principal has stepped in at Walnut Grove Elementary School, although district officials aren't saying why.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>But Principal Jon Vranesh still, apparently, has a job.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"He has not been removed from his post," Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi told the Pleasanton Weekly Thursday morning. "We as a district want to be decisive but fair to everyone."
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>An email sent to parents late Tuesday doesn't mention Vranesh by name:
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"Mr. Rich Puppione is serving as an interim administrator of Walnut Grove Elementary School. Mr. Puppione served the District for over thirty years as a teacher, principal and district administrator," the email says. "We are confident our programs at Walnut Grove are in very good hands. Mr. Muniz will continue as the vice principal at Walnut Grove."
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>People have been speculating about the reason behind Vranesh's departure, but a followup email Wednesday from Ahmadi said the district is limited in what information it can release.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"I respect your right to know whether the recent appointment of an interim administrator at Walnut Grove involves questions of student safety," Ahmadi's email said. "While I am not legally permitted to discuss any personnel issues, I can assure you that these changes are not related to the safety of any of our students."
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"As a district," she continued, "we are committed to ensuring our children receive an excellent education in a safe environment, and I am confident this has been -- and will continue to be -- the case at Walnut Grove, As much as I would like to resolve all questions raised by these changes, the legal restrictions a district faces in personnel matters are quite real."
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Ahmadi and other district officials and the teachers union did not respond to calls from the Pleasanton Weekly, and a call to Vranesh's home went unanswered.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>A number of people who posted on the Pleasanton Weekly's online Town Square community forum as current or former parents of Walnut Grove students said they had details about Vranesh's departure. However, it should be noted that none of the information could be independently verified and the posts were made by anonymous contributors.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"He has been placed on leave because the teachers have filed a grievance with their union and the district is to scared to fight the union," one of the anonymous posts reads. "The problem lies with the district and their lack of standing behind their administrators and from running scared of the union."
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Another poster writing under the name "Former WG parent" stated: "Teachers are angry at decisions that are being made by their principal so they cried to the union about it and what does Parvin and staff do, they place an amazing principal on leave rather then fighting the union. Those teachers have been so angry at all the changes that the district has made that the only person they can go after is their principal."
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That was apparently confirmed by a poster writing under the name "Debra":
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"I do know that we have many unhappy teachers at the school as I hear the constant complaining," that poster wrote.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"This teacher(s) made a complaint about a principal they or she knows is well loved. They or she did not do this to make an example of him, they or she did this because it was what was right," wrote a poster using the name "Doni."
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>One person, writing under the name "WG Dad" said that Vranesh left two weeks ago and that the district didn't release information about his abrupt departure until parents began asking questions.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Another poster on the Town Square forum asked why it took so long for parents to be notified.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"(M)any rumors are going around. What did they expect when they wait so long to let parents have information," the commenter posted.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Other Town Square commenters have accused the district of being deliberately vague about the circumstances surrounding Vranesh's removal and replacement.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"Superintendents don't usually go around placing administrators on leave just because they feel like it, and there is some sort of investigation going on," said one poster who claimed to have a child at the school. "I have no idea whether or not (Vranesh) did anything to warrant this, and it's not up to me to decide his fate as principal. But it is up to Parvin to communicate effectively and in a timely manner with us, while honoring (Vranesh's) right to privacy."
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The district did not answer questions about whether Vranesh was placed on paid or unpaid administrative leave.</p>

Sunol school board selects SoCal firm to recruit new superintendent

Sunol Glen School’s recruitment for a new superintendent and principal is officially underway after the school board unanimously voted on Tuesday to have a Southern California-based firm begin the search process.

The newly renovated Pleasanton City Council chambers includes new videoboards and an ADA-accessible ramp, among its many changes unveiled at the Jan. 16, 2024 council meeting. (Photo by Jeremy Walsh)

Pleasanton council to review potential sales tax revenue measure

The Pleasanton City Council will be going over various budget-related items during Tuesday’s council meeting including the possibility of a sales tax measure being placed on the November election ballot, reductions to discretionary funding and staff recommendations to reallocate or defer Capital Improvement Program project funding.

A photo of one of three drinking water supply wells at the Chain of Lakes Well field in Livermore. The well is currently offline until the PFAS treatment facility is completed. (Photo courtesy of Zone 7 Water Agency)

Zone 7 receives federal grant to help construct PFAS treatment facility in Livermore

The Zone 7 Water Agency recently received federal funding for the Chain of Lakes PFAS Treatment Facility project, which will use an ion exchange treatment process to remove the synthetic chemicals from the well’s groundwater supply, the agency said.

The main entrance to FCI-Dublin. (Photo by Jeremy Walsh)

Dublin: Citing ‘dysfunctional mess,’ judge orders special master to oversee women’s prison

A U.S. district judge Friday ordered the appointment of a special master to oversee the Federal Correctional Institution Dublin, the Bay Area women’s prison with a history of widespread sexual abuse.

Museum-on-Main-Thank-You-Wines-Valentines-600x400-1

2024 Wines and Valentines

Thank you to all our 2024 event sponsors, donors and attendees who supported this year's Wines and Valentines fundraising dinner!!! It was a HUGE success! The money raised will go directly towards supporting the important work the Museum on Main does in our community. > LEARN MORE

Members of Nomad, the wind and brass chamber group, are shown. The group is set to perform at the Bankhead Theater this March. (Image courtesy LVA)

Nomad Session at the Bankhead highlights wind and brass musicality

An eclectic group of musicians bringing a new perspective to chamber music across the Bay Area is set to take the Bankhead Theater stage this weekend. Nomad, a band of eight classically trained musicians, will show off their skills on Saturday, March 23 at 7p.m.

A corner of the small gym at Amador Valley High School caught on fire Sunday night before local fire authorities put it out the same night. (Photo by Chuck Deckert)

New details emerge about fire that broke out in small gym at Amador High

Amador Valley High School’s power has been restored after a second alarm fire engulfed a portion of the small gym, according to Pleasanton Unified School district and Livermore Pleasanton Fire Department officials.

The Opening of the Day

In the first bleary-eyed, early morning moments, before my feet even touch the floor, my thoughts frequently drop directly into a pit of harsh realities, dragging my heart along with them...

Hot Picks

Pleasanton City Council
Pleasanton City Council Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers, 200 Old Bernal Ave. The next meeting is 7 p.m., March 19. Visit cityofpleasantonca.gov/

Livermore Planning Commission
Livermore Planning Commission meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Civic Center Meeting Hall, Mendenhall Room, unless otherwise posted. All meetings are open to the public. 7 p.m., March 19. Visit livermoreca.gov/

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District
Regular meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the District Office, 685 East Jack London Blvd. The next meeting is March 19. Visit livermoreschools.org/

Sole Mates Walking Group
Sole Mates Walking Group is Wednesdays, 8:45-10 a.m., at the Pleasanton Senior Center.

News and Views with Donna Dubose
Donna DuBose will be leading News and Views, a current events ESL conversation group to help practice English. This is a great opportunity to engage in natural, everyday conversation, expand your vocabulary and connect with other English learners in our community. 1:15-2:30 p.m., Wednesdays. Pleasanton Library.

Submissions for Teen Art Exposition
The Livermore Library is hosting the 2024 Teen Art Exposition Show in April and the library invites Livermore middle school and high school students to submit artwork on this year’s theme: Dreams. Submission accepted March 1-25. and selected works displayed April 1-30 at the Civic Center Library. For more information visit library.livermoreca.gov/

Embarcadero Media

450 Cambridge Ave

Palo Alto, CA 94306-1507

Add us to your address book

You can update your preferences and manage your groups, or if you really never want to hear from us again, including other emails from us you may have signed up for, you can totally unsubscribe from this list.

View this email in your browser

orchid41@likesub47.com" width="1" height="1" style="display: block; width: 1px; height: 1px; border: none; margin: 0; padding: 0" />