Hazelton served as superintendent of Englewood Public School District in New Jersey last year, and previously served as superintendent of Linden Public Schools in New Jersey and Roosevelt Union Free School District in New York. She earned her doctorate in educational and policy leadership from Hofstra University and her master\u2019s degree in education from Brooklyn College. Her Alum Rock Union School District base salary is $275,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat school systems are built on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to student success, and I am excited to listen, learn and work alongside the Alum Rock community as we build a bright future for every student,\u201d Hazelton said in a statement.<\/p>\n
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Marnie Hazelton is the new superintendent of Alum Rock Union School District in East San Jose. Photo courtesy of Englewood Public School District.<\/p>\n
Board Vice President Andres Quintero said\u00a0Hazelton is the right leader for Alum Rock Union School District because of her proven commitment to improving academic achievement and delivering results for students.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy expectation is that her primary focus will be ensuring every child in our district has access to a high-quality education and that we continue raising student outcomes,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cOur district has a responsibility to be good stewards of the public\u2019s assets. With several school sites now vacant, there will undoubtedly be outside interest. I know that Dr. Hazelton will protect those assets and ensure that any decisions made generate long-term, sustainable revenue that can be reinvested directly into educating our students.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hazelton is the latest education leader to take charge of the East San Jose school district that has seen high turnover for its superintendents in recent years. Following the board\u2019s abrupt firing of Superintendent Hilaria Bauer<\/a> in March 2024, trustees appointed Imee Almazan<\/a>, followed by\u00a0Emmanuel \u201cManny\u201d Barbara<\/a>, who stepped in as interim superintendents while the district sought a permanent replacement. In August 2025, the district fired then-Superintendent\u00a0German Cerda<\/a>, less than a year after he was hired, and\u00a0Sandra Garcia<\/a> became interim superintendent until Sanchez was hired in July.<\/p>\n Trustee Minh Pham is counting on Hazelton\u2019s 10 years of experience as a superintendent to aid in the financial recovery of Alum Rock, including increasing enrollment.<\/p>\n \u201cThe district will benefit from a fresh set of eyes that can look at the district\u2019s challenges objectively and the administrative know-how to sail out of today\u2019s choppy waters,\u201d Pham told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n The school district faces ongoing financial issues. Two years ago, the board voted to close six schools<\/a> in the 2025-26 school year as the cash-strapped district dealt with a $20 million budget deficit. The loss of one-time federal COVID dollars and a drop in enrollment \u2014 from more than 10,000 students in 2015-16 to approximately 7,270 students in 2024-25 \u2014 added to the decision.<\/p>\n The district laid off<\/a> managers, bus drivers, child nutrition assistants, wellness site specialists and liaisons to address an $8 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year. The deficit is projected to grow to $9.5 million in the 2027-28 academic year due to a loss of grant funding. In an attempt to stabilize funding, the board has approved a parcel tax measure to go before voters in November.<\/p>\n
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