Douglas County School Board taps Ukiah man to be next superintendent

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - In another marathon meeting, the Douglas County School Board selected its next leader, Angelo "Frankie" Alvarado by a vote of 4-3. As is the norm for the last 18 months, the divided board voted along the previously drawn lines - the "majority" of David Burns, Susan Jansen, Katherine Dickerson, and Doug Englekirk, and the "minority" of trustees Yvonne Wagstaff, Carey Kangas, and Linda Gilkerson.

Alvarado and the other finalist, Patrick Peters, appeared before the board to be interviewed one day after being part of a meet-and-greet with the public. The third finalist, Louise Simson, reportedly took a superintendent job elsewhere and withdrew her application.

Alvarado has been with the Ukiah Unified School District as its assistant superintendent of human resources for one year. Prior to that, he spent four school years with the Mammoth Unified School District as middle school principal, director of human resources, and elementary principal; Two years at Ontario Montclair School District as an assistant principal; One year at Sequoia Union High School District as coordinator of special education; 2.5 years at Victor Valley Union High School District as assistant principal.

Peters, a product of Douglas County schools, had several people speak in support of him being hired during the meeting. He has 22 years of school leadership experience, 19 of those as principal at Silver Stage High School in Lyon County School District, and three as the school's assistant principal. He was a teacher at the school for eight years. Peters did his student teaching at Jacks Valley Elementary in Douglas County.

When questioned by Jansen about DEI in schools (diversity, equity, inclusion), Alvarado said that "in today's world, the kids need to know tolerance and accept differences." Jansen said "DEI is harmful," but Alvarado told her he hadn't seen DEI in math, or science, and it can be tackled in curriculum adoption if necessary.

Alvarado said his three priorities will be enrollment, absenteeism, and staff shortage.

Alvarado's lack of experience in school leadership was a concern for Gilkerson, Wagstaff, and Kangas, and the fact that he changed districts after one to three years. Peters has been with the same school district for his whole career.

“I really feel that our district, given the climate of our school board and the divisiveness that is here, I feel like we need someone who has superintendent experience,” said Wagstaff. “I still think Jeannie’s the best option. She's been doing a heck of a great job.”

Jeanne Dwyer has been the acting superintendent since Keith Lewis resigned. She had applied for the job as superintendent during the first search for someone to take the top spot, but with Burns, Jansen, Dickerson, and Englekirk not backing her during the second search, she didn't apply.

The Board will work with its legal counsel and Alvarado to complete a contract that will come before the board for approval at its next meeting on July 9.