County Board, Superintendent
Announce Accord on Transition

Dr. Colleen Wilcox will temporarily remain with the Santa Clara County Office of Education to help with the transition in leadership, it was announced Wednesday at the county Board of Education meeting. View statement.

Wilcox will assist Joe Fimiani, who will become acting superintendent on Nov. 1.

Wilcox will work with Fimiani and other assistant superintendents, as well as the board. Under the terms of the agreement between the board and Wilcox, she will discontinue employment with the COE no later than July 1, 2008.

"Our focus in the near term is to find a successor to fill some very big shoes," board Chairman Gary Rummelhoff said in a statement. "It is our objective to identify candidates with the energy and vision to continue to move the organization forward."

Fimiani is the assistant superintendent of the COE’s Student Services branch.

He was a long-time special education administrator at the SCCOE before becoming an assistant superintendent in 2002.

In an e-mail sent to COE staff on Thursday, Fimiani wrote: "I look forward to working together as a team to serve children, their families, our school districts and the community with the highest degree of integrity and courage."

In other news from the Wednesday meeting, the board voted 4-3 to direct its attorney to provide a report based on an investigation of complaints against Wilcox.

Wilcox announced on Sept. 19 her intent to resign. She held the position of superintendent at the COE for 14 years.

Date last updated: October 4, 2007