Educators and local political leaders spoke out Friday to demand transparency in the process that led to the firing of Santa Clara County Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan during a closed session this week.

More than 100 people showed up at a news conference in support of Dewan, demanding that she be reinstated in her position and the board members up for reelection this year be voted out. A group of less than 10 people also appeared, saying “justice was served” after Dewan’s firing.

A Thursday release from board of education President Maimona Afzal Berta, stated that Dewan was removed from her position in a 4-2 vote, with one abstention. Board members Berta, Joseph Di Salvo, Grace Mah and Don Rocha voted in favor of Dewan’s termination. Victoria Chon and Tara Sreekrishnan voted against. Raeena Lari abstained from the vote.

“During her six years of service, Superintendent Dewan has placed a high value on cultivating systems for communication and collaboration, championing a culture that was focused on teaching and learning, as well as promoting social-emotional well-being, and health and wellness both in and out the classroom,” Berta said in her statement. “The board of education thanks her again for her work.”

Dewan could not be reached for comment. Berta, Di Salvo and Mah declined to comment.

Berta wrote in her statement that Dewan’s appointment was terminated “per her employment contract without cause upon 30 days’ written notice.” Dewan also was placed on paid administrative leave for the 30-day notice period after Berta provides her written notice.

After that period, Dewan will receive severance pay, as provided by her employment contract for termination without cause.

Television station NBC Bay Area previously reported that there were complaints about Dewan surrounding the use of Head Start funds and allegations of retaliation during a related federal review.

Sreekrishnan, the board of education member representing Area 2 — which includes school districts in Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, Saratoga and Morgan Hill — condemned the lack of transparency in Dewan’s termination and called for a public hearing to address these concerns.

“The termination of a superintendent without cause, especially when it affects our most vulnerable students, is not only poor judgment but an outright political stunt,” Sreekrishnan said in a statement Thursday. “This action led to staff walking out in protest, further underscoring the inappropriate and damaging nature of this decision.”

Claudia Rossi, a registered nurse who previously served as president of the board in 2020, told the Bay Area News Group that she felt “disappointment” and “consternation” toward the vote. She also said Thursday she believed the vote was a “deliberate weaponization of the evaluation process” that didn’t seek consensus or a positive working relationship with Dewan.

She highlighted the work Dewan did during the pandemic, like making sure students were fed and supporting distance learning. As a former representative of South County schools, Rossi said Dewan had helped get programs started for students who had been neglected in that part of the county and was grateful for her leadership.

Dewan was appointed superintendent in 2018.

Sreekrishnan and Rossi held a news conference supporting Dewan outside the board of education Friday morning. Jessica Speiser, who is challenging Mah for her seat, criticized the lack of transparency in Dewan’s firing and the turmoil that could rise from it.

“Instead of focusing on insuring that all kids, no matter their background or personal experience, gets the best education possible for just over a year, the majority of the divided board decided to put political differences at the center of the narrative,” Speiser said, “and ultimately fire, without cause and immediately, an award-winning, collaborative, high-performing, beloved superintendent.”

Sarah Steinbach, a teacher of students with severe disabilities, said she was a strong supporter of Dewan for standing up for the students and staffers. She said she had her doubts about the allegations Dewan faces in regards to misuse of funds and staff relation.

However, some parents also spoke up Friday morning about their support for Dewan’s firing.

Maria Mendoza said her experiences trying to make sure her son, who is hard of hearing, got the accommodations he needed had soured her on Dewan’s leadership. Her son went to Leigh High School and received a high school diploma instead of a certificate of completion, which would disqualify him from entering an adult transition program. She said she wanted to make sure he would get into an individual educational program, or IEP, so her son would be treated individually to support his special needs.

Another parent, Isatu Barri, also criticized Dewan, pointing to her own difficulties getting accommodations for her son’s education.

Berta said in her statement that Associate Superintendent Jessica Bondorius would take over as acting superintendent until the board could find a temporary or permanent successor.

“We are confident Dr. Bondorius and the next interim superintendent will provide stability and consistency for our students, families, and educators during this transition,” Berta said in her statement.

Berta wrote that the board would stage a special session related to the appointment of an interim superintendent as soon as possible.