Orchard district hires ousted Cupertino superintendent
SANJOSE » Wendy Gudalewicz, who was ousted last spring as superintendent of the Cupertino Union School District, has taken over as chief in the tiny Orchard School District in North San Jose.
Gudalewicz, 53, began Wednesday as superintendent with a twoyear contract. She will earn $ 108,375 for working eight months of this school year, and $ 163,375 in the 2018- 19 school year.
“It’s nice to be in a place where I can know everyone,” she said. Orchard is a one- school district serving 900 students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade.
“I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about the district and the people,” she added.
A school district statement praised Gudalewicz as a “no- nonsense reformer who always puts student needs first.”
The written statement f rom Orchard board President Karl Jacobson said Gudalewicz “has the skills and experience
“It’s nice tobe in a place where I can know everyone. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about the district and people.” — Wendy Gudalewicz, new superintendent of the Orchard School District
to strengthen the classroom experience for our students.
“Her academic record at her previous district was exemplary. She has a clear and direct communication style, has dealt with difficult situations and also has experience with land use negotiations.”
Jacobson could not be reached for comment.
The Cupertino Union school board forced out Gudalewicz in April amid increasing ferment that began in June 2015 when she transferred the entire staff of an elementary school. Controversy grew with successive initiatives.
In Orchard, the school board has been bitterly split for more than a year over everything from how the school play fields are mowed to whether the district has a budget deficit. Former Superintendent Joel Ruiz Herrera abruptly announced his retirement effective in August.
Before Cupertino, Gudalewicz worked in schools in Union City and Gilroy. She pointed out that she’s spent much of her career working with a student population similar to Orchard’s, which includes 44 percent who are English learners and 47 percent from low- income families.