Sonoma Valley Unified superintendent leaves post after ‘separation agreement’ with board

Adrian Palazuelos abruptly left his post as superintendent of Sonoma Valley Unified after reaching a “separation agreement” with the district’s board, The Press Democrat reported.

“The board has reached a separation agreement with Dr. Palazuelos,” Trustee Anne Ching said following a closed session meeting of the board, according to the Press Democrat.

One of the trustees who voted against the agreement, John Kelly, cited a payout to Palazuelos as well as a “a nondisparagement agreement” that was included in the deal.

“The presence of a payout to Adrian Palazuelos was the primary reason I voted against the contract,” Kelly told the Press Democrat. “I also voted against the contract because it includes a nondisparagement agreement clause, which I think limits the public’s ability to learn about Adrian Palazuelos’ behavior and my ability to comment on the same.”