Sonoma teachers’ union express concern over Superintendent pick

Valley of the Moon Teachers Association President Renea Magnani announced on Friday that after receiving dozens of phone calls from teachers who had worked under Socorro Shiels – the Sonoma Valley Unified School District's favored candidate to be its next Superintendent – the Sonoma Valley teachers union has 'serious reservations' about the choice of Shiels as the next district head.

Magnani cited the combination of feedback she's received from Santa Rosa educators and a review of records from Shiels's tenure as superintendent of Santa Rosa City Schools, as to why the VMTA couldn't support her hiring.

'I am hearing from teachers in Santa Rosa that she is not a good choice and that we should be worried,' said Magnani, who teaches at Dunbar Elementary School and serves as president of the 264-member local educators union.

Magnani said she had received upward of 30 calls and texts from teachers expressing negative reactions to Shiels in the days following the announcement that Shiels was the sole 'finalist' for the position.

The Sonoma Valley Unified School District has been readying for a new superintendent since the surprise resignation of longtime schools chief Louann Carlomagno last June. Former UCLA Chancellor Charles Young has served as the district's part-time interim superintendent thus far this school year.

Shiels, 46, served as superintendent of Sonoma County's largest school district, Santa Rosa City Schools, from 2012 to January 2016.

During that time, there were strained relations between Shiels and the teachers in the district, who were lobbying for a 5 percent raise, while the district was offering 2 percent.

A source familiar with teacher union members and district staff in Santa Rosa said that Shiels' ongoing relationship with SRCS teachers were 'strained and tense' throughout her tenure.

During the salary negotiations in 2015, members of the Santa Rosa Teachers Association accused Shiels of a 'blatant violation of trust,' and of withholding documents and relevant fiscal information that would help them properly evaluate the district's financial position regarding salary increases. However, an investigator hired by the district found the charge to be without merit and said Santa Rosa Teachers Association President Amy Stern 'relied on incomplete information from unknown sources' in making such a claim.

Six months later, Shiels resigned to accept a position with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, a state agency that works to improve schools across California.

Magnani said the VMTA was not given the opportunity to interview Shiels during the superintendent-selection process – but was, instead, invited to suggest interview questions. She said the questions the VMTA submitted centered largely around the candidates' working relationship with educator unions.

The district announced Shiels as its sole finalist for the position late last month. Magnani said when she learned it was Santa Rosa City Schools' former superintendent she 'felt a punch in (her) gut.'

'I knew there had been turmoil between her and the teachers there,' said Magnani. 'And then my phone started to blow up with texts and calls.'

Magnani expressed frustration to the Index-Tribune over her perception that the school board was minimizing the union's concerns and suggesting the union, in Magnani's words, 'give Shiels a chance.'

'I don't want to take a chance on our superintendent,' said Magnani.

In response to the VMTA's concerns, Shiels issued an open letter to the union on Monday morning.

She said that she was honored to be Sonoma's Valley's choice for superintendent and that she was confident she could 'build the necessary trust' with all employees, parents and students.

She acknowledged that the successful transition to a new superintendent will take some work.

'As an educator, I fully understand the anxiety that teachers, and all members of the school community, feel as they transition to a new leader,' she wrote. 'It is important to me to have a strong, collaborative relationship with all employees and bargaining units.'

She said she believed that together they could address concerns 'transparently' and cooperate in 'finding solutions.'

She said that 'education magic' happens in the classroom.

'Every position in a school district is vital, from food service and transportation to custodial services, counseling, administrative support and all other professionals,' said Shiels.

'These functions exist to create the system that ensures teachers can focus on student learning.'

According to SVUSD school board President Britta Johnson, Shiels was selected as the district's finalist after an extensive search and by a unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees on March 22.

'Ms. Shiels has a track record of organizational management, budget development and accountability, and improving student achievement that will serve our district well,' said Johnson when reached over the weekend.

'She has already demonstrated great humility, empathy and an earnest willingness to work collaboratively and cooperatively with our unions, parents, administration and community for the benefit of our students.'

On Monday, Magnani said that she expressed the union's reservations to Shiels by phone over the weekend and appreciated her 'hearing our concerns.'

'We certainly want to move forward positively with our next superintendent,' said Magnani.

The vote to formalize Shiels' contract will take place at the regular board meeting on Tuesday, April 17.

Email Lorna at ourschools@sonomanews.com.