By Philip Haldiman
Many heart-felt words were spoken, and many tears shed as community members gathered to honor outgoing board Clerk David Sandoval for his eight years of elected service to Peoria Unified School District Dec. 12.
During that time, he served four consecutive years as president of the governing board, as well as other entities supporting public education in Peoria.
As a board member, he said hehelped ensure all PUSD employee groups receive retention stipends, protected employees salaries, and amid failed bonds, led the charge in adapting space efficiently at overcrowded schools to make room for students.
Holding back tears, Sandoval thanked the students, staff, as well as his wife and family. He said that today the district has 42 schools that are either rated A or B, with all its high schools A-rated.
He said he is deeply grateful for the faith and confidence that the Peoria Unified School District placed in him and for the meaningful connections he made along the way.
“We have navigated challenges, celebrated achievements, and built a school district that exemplifies excellence,” Sandoval said. “To everyone, thank you for allowing me to be part of something much greater than me. You have enriched my life in ways I will never forget. Your support and commitment have made me a better person and for that I am forever grateful.”
At his farewell reception, many praised his direction during the COVID 19 pandemic and his ability to, as one board member put it, lead with “empathy, understanding and compassion.”
On behalf of the district, spokeswoman Danielle Airey thanked Sandoval for his service.
“He has led our school district during some of the most challenging times in public education … It is without question Mr. Sandoval is passionate about this school district and his connections here run deep,” she said. “To say that he has invested countless hours of time and talent to our school district would be an understatement and we are so grateful for what he has done for our school district.”
He and his wife Cindy are graduates of PUSD and they raised their children in the district as well.
Sandoval ran for one of the three open seats on the board in the Nov. 5 general election, but did not get enough votes to retain his seat.
At the school board meeting that followed the farewell reception, boardmember Melissa Ewing said Sandoval looks out for the most vulnerable students who can’t speak for themselves and has served as a mentor during her time on the board.
“When he leads, he is always lifting up those around him, and that is something that definitely makes you a good leader,” Ewing said to Sandoval at the dais. “I look forward to hearing about your adventures and next steps and all the great stuff you are going to achieve beyond Peoria.”
Sandoval served as president during the pandemic when division bubbled up over school shutdowns, mask mandates, virtual versus in-person classrooms and exacerbated social-emotional challenges, among other strains.
President Becky Proudfit said Sandoval is the epitome of integrity and provided steady leadership in tumultuous waters.
Sandoval leads by example with impartiality and the utmost attention to the individual stories and circumstances of every teacher, employee and student in the Peoria Unified School District, Proudfit said.
“A great indicator of an exceptional leader is not in their response and their conduct when they agree with you, but rather, in their conduct when you have to engage in the wrestle of disagreement, and David is always mindful and leads as an example that it is with the collaborative wrestle that solutions are always found,” she said at the meeting. “It has truly been an honor to serve alongside you, to learn from you, and to begin a true friendship. You are truly leaving a legacy of service and it is an indelible legacy that will never leave our district.”
Philip Haldiman can be reached at [email protected], or on X @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email [email protected].
