By Taylor Johnson | OBSERVER Staff Writer

Lisa Allen (Courtesy Photo)

Sacramento City Unified Lisa Allen announced her resignation effective Thursday evening.

This comes as the district faces a budget crisis as they will have to come up with millions of dollars in savings or request a loan from the state, impacting their operations.

With over 30 years in education, Allen became superintendent of the school district in July 2023, but she was also a teacher and a deputy superintendent. 

“When I accepted this role at Sacramento City Unified School District, I was grateful, humbled, honored, and committed to serve with our dedicated staff, cabinet, students, families and the community,” Allen said. “It took courage for me to accept the role of superintendent and it’s now taking courage for me to let go after 30 years of dedication and service.”

During the Thursday school board meeting, trustees unanimously approved Allen’s departure from the district. The agreement includes a repayment of $152,573.64 cents and a vacation payout of $74,791 effective this evening.

“At this time, both superintendent and the board believe that creating space for new leadership will best position the district to address and overcome its current challenges,” said trustee Tara Jeane. “Drawing on her own experiences, superintendent Allen is following her heart again, and is creating space for a transition that can open up new opportunities to tackle the complex issues we face.”

The board approved Dr. Cancy McArn as the interim superintendent starting today, who will be getting an annual salary of $325,000 with the same workday and benefits of his predecessor.

McArn has worked with the district for around 30 years, beginning as an elementary teacher in 1997. She has worked multiple roles, including as the chief human resource director. 

She previously got her bachelors from the University of Vermont, her master’s from the University of La Verne and her doctorate at Brandman University

“…With honor I accept the role as interim superintendent and I know how much that role means to each of us in our various roles in the time that we are in right now, what we have ahead of us, and where we come from,” McArn said.

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