Santa Rosa City Schools selects new superintendent

Daisy Morales takes over the city's largest district, having last lead Live Oak Elementary District in Santa Cruz.

photo credit: Santa Rosa City Schools

Santa Rosa City Schools have a new superintendent, but not everyone is in support.

On Wednesday, Santa Rosa's City School Board approved the hire of Daisy Morales.

She most recently served at the head of the Live Oak Elementary School District in Santa Cruz.

School board president Omar Medina said he looks forward to Morales' future with the district.

"We are confident that Dr. Morales is the right leader to guide our district into the future," Medina said. "Dr. Morales is not only focused on academic excellence, but also on the overall well being of our students."

But the hiring of Morales, who resigned from her superintendent role in Santa Cruz following budget issues and a strained relationship with teachers, has some community member and educators concerned ; like Noelle Tamba.

"I do feel that there should have been more time taken," Tamba said. "There should be some more additional information that have has come out to these families, to the parents, to the people that she will be serving. Because right now all we've seen is what we've got from the press on her, and it is concerning."

Despite the objections, school board member Roxanne McNally said she's confident in Morales, who brings experience working with English language learner students.

"I know that it is frustrating that due to the confidential nature of personnel matters and the hiring process, there are parts of this story that the board is privy to that the community does not get to hear," McNally said. "I truly believe that she is the superintendent that this district needs."

Morales starts as the next Santa Rosa City Schools superintendent, taking over from Anna Trunnell, on July 1st.