The recently dismissed superintendent of the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District is speaking out, claiming his termination was retaliation for raising concerns about questionable board member reimbursements. German Cerda, who was let go less than a year into his tenure, said the board’s decision to fire him “without cause” does not reflect the true reason behind his removal. From his home, Cerda described the shock of being walked out of his office immediately after the board’s vote.

Cerda said he discovered that some board members were being reimbursed for attending community fundraisers. His deeper concern arose when he found that board member Andres Quintero had been reimbursed more than $30,000 for coursework toward a doctorate degree. This revelation came at a time when the district faced a $9 million budget deficit for the current year and another projected $7 million shortfall next year. According to Cerda, Quintero had directed him to consider school closures and staff layoffs while receiving substantial tuition reimbursements from district funds.

The former superintendent argued that such expenditures, especially without complete supporting documentation, were improper. He noted that teachers seeking reimbursement for coursework must submit transcripts and itemized records under California’s education code. In Quintero’s case, Cerda said the only record he found was a credit card receipt from a university in the Cumberlands, with no transcripts or detailed proof of completion. He emphasized that the district does not typically fund teacher credentials or master’s degrees unless there is a clear instructional need, questioning why such an exception would be made for a sitting board member pursuing a doctorate.

Education ethics experts have echoed Cerda’s concerns. Davina Hurt, government ethics director at Santa Clara University, explained that school boards are meant to serve the public, not personally benefit from their roles. She said tuition payments to an active board member could raise serious conflict-of-interest questions and undermine the board’s duty to protect taxpayer funds.

Cerda believes the matter warrants a criminal investigation and stated his intention to escalate the issue to the district attorney’s office. He characterized the reimbursements as potential embezzlement and insisted that authorities should conduct a thorough review.

In response to questions, the district cited its Board Governance Bylaw 9240, which encourages board members to engage in ongoing training and education through accredited programs to strengthen their knowledge on educational issues. The bylaw allows funds to be budgeted annually for board training activities and outlines that members may participate in courses aligned with district goals. The district stated that Quintero’s reimbursements were processed through established procedures and approved by the superintendent at the time along with business services staff. Officials added that they are now reviewing the total amounts reimbursed in the past.

Regarding community fundraiser reimbursements, the district acknowledged that its credit card had been used for tickets to nonprofit and community events, with such purchases previously approved by the superintendent. The district said it is reviewing purchasing protocols and credit card use policies to ensure proper accountability moving forward.

For Cerda, the larger issue remains the impact on students and teachers caught in the middle of the controversy. Despite his short time in the role, he expressed hope that the foundation he laid would keep educational priorities at the forefront. As the district navigates financial challenges and internal scrutiny, the former superintendent maintains that transparency and accountability are essential to restoring trust and protecting resources intended for student learning.