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Education

Del Mar Parents Blame School Board For Leadership Troubles

Sharon McClain
Del Mar Union School Board
Sharon McClain
Del Mar Parents Blame School Board For Leadership Troubles
The Del Mar Union School Board should choose an interim superintendent at a special meeting on Thursday. The move comes one day after the board fired the district's leader.

The Del Mar Union School Board should choose an interim superintendent at a special meeting on Thursday. The move comes one day after the board fired the district's leader.

Sharon McClain served only two years. The board majority says she violated her contract, but is not providing more details.

Many parents say trustees have a history of micromanaging and firing school leaders. Two years ago the district spent about $300,000 to buy-out another superintendent's contract. Terminating McClain's contract could cost $500,000.

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Del Mar parent Kate Takahashi says the board is wasting taxpayer money.

“At this point we just hope they (trustees) don't get reelected,” Takahashi said. “I would hope they would step down, actually. That they would be so embarrassed by all the community outrage that they would have an epiphany and step down.”

Takahasi says another contract buy-out comes as parents are helping to pay for school programs and services. Del Mar's ousted schools chief is expected to mount a legal battle.