Brand to Return As SUHSD Superintendent After Gandara's Ousting

After a one-hour closed-session meeting with the district’s attorney Tuesday night, members of the (SUHSD) school board voted 5-0 to appoint former Superintendent Ed Brand to acting superintendent, effective immediately.

Approximately 50 parents and district employees attended the meeting at Southwest High School to learn how the district would move forward after a seven-hour marathon board meeting June 20 in which then-Superintendent .

That leave, according to a press release put out by the district, will last through September, at which point Gandara’s separation will become permanent.

The district said Gandara will receive a severance package worth $416,675.

Brand, who has been developing and managing real estate for the past three years, previously filled the role from 1995 until 2005, when he left the position on his own recognizance. 

Terms and conditions of Brand’s appointment include $20,000 in monthly compensation, either for one year or until the effective date a permanent superintendent can be hired, whichever comes first. Brand will also be eligible to receive medical benefits, travel benefits and mileage reimbursement.

A copy of the contract will be available on the SUHSD website on Wednesday.

SUHSD parent Stewart Payne said the information was “a lot to decipher on such short notice.”

“I don’t know Mr. Brand, but it seems to me that we are paying our outgoing superintendent close to $500,000 and now we’re going to pay this gentleman $20,000 a month," Payne said.  "My question is as to where this money is coming from. I don’t know if this was taken into consideration when the budget was approved last night. I’m concerned here, and I don’t think this has been thought out.”

SUHSD school board president John McCann said that opportunities for savings were being looked at to “make sure that fits into the budget,” he said.

Brand, when given the opportunity to address the crowd, said he felt honored and privileged to be back in what he considers to be his second home.

“Large organizations have, from time to time, some problems that occur, some of which seem insurmountable,” he said.  “So the question is how do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.”

Brand said he and the board will be hosting a board workshop within the next 30 days and a educational summit within the next 90 days. 

“My pledge is to restart the engine,” he said.  “And in refocusing our efforts we’ll be back on the top of the hill in no time at all.”

Former Superintendent Gandara had first come under fire in April after it was discovered that he had used a district credit card to charge thousands of dollars in meals atop his $800 per month food allowance.  Among the questionable charges, said district employees, was a meal charged at Hooters.

It also was alleged that Gandara hired two public relations consultants without the board’s knowledge and that he had contractors attend his daughter’s bridal shower, which included a money tree.

“This is a time for healing,” said Board President McCann in a press release.  “We are starting a new school year and we will embark on many challenges.  I am hoping that the focus changes from politics to kids learning.”