Gilroy superintendent ends speculation that he’s being courted
for East Side Union’s top job
Despite speculation and rumor about a possible move to the East
Side Union High School District, Gilroy Unified School
Superintendent Edwin Diaz insists that he plans to stay put in
Gilroy.
Despite speculation and rumor about a possible move to the East Side Union High School District, Gilroy Unified School Superintendent Edwin Diaz insists that he plans to stay put in Gilroy.
“It’s true that (Joe) Coto retired and that they need a new superintendent up there,” said Diaz. “But I’m not interested, and I feel that I have more work to do here.”
Diaz, however, remained mum as to whether the San Jose district contacted him and encouraged to fill out an application for the position.
“I heard the rumors,” Diaz said. “But my job is not complete here.”
The East Side Union High School District has12 high schools and some 24,000 students.
“We are still in the beginning stages of this search,” said East Side Union Superintendent Secretary Esther Carrillo. “The Board still has to select a search firm to find the most qualified candidates.”
The opening first came available when the district’s Coto announced his plans to retire at the end of the school year. Coto has been the district’s superintendent for the last 12 years.
“I’m sure there are a lot of people interested in this position,” said Carrillo. “If all goes well, we should start the interview process by June.”
After hiring a search firm to find the most qualified candidate, several steps will follow. Those steps include the hand screening of applications and include the selecting of a committee of teachers and parents who will assist in the screening process. From there, the Board makes the final decision based on recommendations by the committees.
While Diaz insists he is not seeking the position, a move to a bigger district like East Side Union would result in a significant pay raise-a key reason why both Morgan Hill and Gilroy have lost many qualified educators over the years.
“In comparison to Gilroy, the salary would be substantially higher,” said Diaz, who now receives $135,000 annually for his work in the district.
Gilroy Unified School Board President Jim Rogers knows nothing of Diaz’s future intentions or the situation.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they contacted him because I’m sure they’re looking for somebody who is good and Edwin is,” he said. “But I know nothing more.”
Diaz, 49, took his first teaching job in 1975 with Gilroy High School. Since then, he has held several positions in the district, including assistant principal at Gilroy High, principal at Mt. Madonna High School and served four years in the district office as director of human resources and secondary education. From there, he was an assistant superintendent for four years with Oak Grove School District in San Jose before coming back to Gilroy.
In 1999, the Gilroy Unified Board of Trustees named him superintendent.
