The Santa Clara County Board of Education has appointed a new superintendent of schools. The move comes six months after the board ousted the long-time superintendent, sparking conflict and turmoil.
The board appointed David Toston as the education office’s newest superintendent. Santa Clara County has one of five county superintendents in the state who are appointed rather than elected by voters. Toston was appointed through a comprehensive search and will begin May 1.
“The board welcomes David Toston and looks forward to working collaboratively with him,” said board president Maimona Afzal Berta in a statement. “He has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep dedication to fostering student success and educational excellence. We are confident that he will guide the Santa Clara County Office of Education forward with vision and purpose.”
Toston has 25 years of experience in education, beginning his career as an eighth-grade teacher before going on to serve as a counselor, school psychologist and special education director.
He received a master’s degree in school psychology from Azusa Pacific University and a doctoral degree in organizational leadership at the University of La Verne, where his research explored the distinction between inclusion and belonging in K-12 education.
Before his appointment as Santa Clara County’s superintendent of schools, Toston served as senior advisor at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, a statewide agency that advises and helps school districts, charter schools and county offices of education to achieve their goals, address inequities and support students.
Toston also served as associate superintendent at the El Dorado County Office of Education and assistant superintendent for the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools. He was appointed by the state Senate to the California Advisory Commission on Special Education in 2017 and was elected chair in 2020, becoming the first African American to hold that position.
Toston has also served as an adjunct professor at Loyola Marymount University and the University of La Verne.
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“I am deeply honored to serve as Superintendent of the Santa Clara County Office of Education,” Toston said in a statement. “This role is both a privilege and a responsibility, and I look forward to partnering with our trustees, SCCOE teammates, districts, students, educators, families and community partners. Together, we will demonstrate what is possible through the strength of our diversity—ensuring every educator is supported in preparing students to achieve the hopes and dreams of their families and communities.”
Toston’s appointment comes as the Santa Clara County Office of Education has faced six months of turmoil and chaos following the shocking removal of longtime superintendent Mary Ann Dewan in October — the latest leader to be removed in a string of controversial resignations and firings. Dewan subsequently sued the board for removing her without cause, but dropped her lawsuit last month.
Charles Hinman has served as interim superintendent since October, and launched an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds — including unauthorized legal expenses, improper contract awards and additional security concerns — in November. A federal report released in February revealed the county office of education misallocated $135,370 in federal funds under Dewan’s administration.
