Parents in an East San Jose school district are calling for county officials to investigate a trustee who was reimbursed thousands of dollars by the district for college courses.
Andres Quintero, board vice president of the Alum Rock Union School District, is facing criticism for a $22,700 reimbursement he received from the district for taking classes to earn a doctorate. At a school board meeting last month, parents and community advocates called for Quintero to either return the money or resign. Quintero defended himself, saying board members can use professional development funds for coursework at accredited colleges or universities — and said critics should take it up with the district attorney if they felt there was improper behavior.
In response, parents and advocates have filed complaints with the school district, as well as the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury, District Attorney’s Office and California Fair Political Practices Commission.
Sean Webby, a spokesperson for the DA’s office, told San José Spotlight they are reviewing the issue. The office of education’s fiscal crisis and management assistance team is also investigating as part of an ongoing audit related to alleged misuse of public funds, with findings and recommendations expected to be shared with the Alum Rock school board at a later date.
“As a former Alum Rock teacher, I look forward to the independent investigation’s findings to help strengthen confidence that (Alum Rock Union School District) resources are being used in ways that best support students and our community,” Maimona Afzal Berta, president of the Santa Clara County Board of Education who represents Alum Rock, told San José Spotlight.
Quintero, a professor at Evergreen Valley College, did not respond to requests for comment. An Alum Rock Union School District spokesperson said they take allegations of misused public funds seriously.
“The district is committed to transparency in its governance and to the responsible, transparent and effective stewardship of public funds for the benefit of students,” the spokesperson told San José Spotlight. “The district believes the concerns raised … fall within the scope of an audit already underway.”
The Alum Rock school board voted July 31 to fire then-Superintendent German Cerda after he confronted board members about questionable reimbursements by the district, as it faced a $20 million budget deficit following the loss of COVID funds and a drop in enrollment. There are roughly 8,600 students in the district. Trustees voted last year to close six schools to help address the deficit.
In addition to the doctorate, Cerda said Quintero owed the district $5,000 for health care premiums. The district attributes this to an administrative error and Quintero is paying those funds back.
Trustee Minh Pham said the district has been negatively affected by this issue, taking focus away from programs and services. Trustee Corina Herrera-Loera said the board has had to spend time responding to numerous requests, including the audit.
“The fact that any elected official serving a public agency is using public funds to pay for a doctorate is unethical,” Herrera-Loera told San José Spotlight. “We as board members are also having to take time to participate in investigative interviews … when we could be focusing on moving our district forward.”
Parent Chrystine Villarreal said the board’s lack of transparency with the community is frustrating.
“There’s a disconnect and a break in communication,” she told San José Spotlight. “We have reached out several times to try to have a conversation. We’ve gone to the board and asked for clarity. This doesn’t seem like a good use of funds … that would benefit the community and the students. It is important for us to hold our elected officials accountable. We felt like we were up against a wall and we had no other choice.”
Villarreal said if Quintero doesn’t agree to repay the funding, the community will work to unseat him. Quintero is up for reelection next year.
Raul Perez, a parent and community leader, said Quintero is taking away funds that could have gone to services and resources for students. He said children are playing on fields full of holes and playgrounds with broken asphalt, and teachers are in need of school supplies.
“It’s really disheartening,” he told San José Spotlight. “Quintero … by stealing this money … he’s smashing our hopes and desires. Dreams that we have for our kids, for our teachers, for our school community.”
Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected]