On split vote Antioch School Board hires controversial new superintendent
Four positions in five years
UPDATE: Board members, district staff refuse to provide copy of Dr. Darnise Williams’ resume, one says she never had it
By Allen D. Payton
Following the Antioch School Board Closed Session meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Board President Antonio Hernandez stated, “We don’t have anything to report out from Closed Session.” But he then said, “We do have copies of that superintendent contract. The Board has identified as our final candidate, Dr. Darnise Williams.”
Before the regular meeting began, Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha announced a cake in the Board Room in honor of Hernandez who graduated that Sunday with master’s degrees in public policy and education. He said he will now return to finish the last two years of medical school.
Superintendent Appointment
During their June 11th meeting, the trustees on a vote of 3-1 with Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha the lone dissenter and Area 4 Trustee Olga Cobos-Smith absent, approved Williams’ three-year contract which lasts through June 30, 2028. This reporter was the only member of the public to speak about the hiring of the new superintendent, mainly about the process, that it was not transparent and done without giving the public the opportunity to meet and learn about her background before the school board hired Williams, and suggested they postpone the vote. (See 1:35:50 mark of meeting video)
“As I mentioned from previous closed session, we did identify and we’re super happy to have Dr. Darnise Williams as our contract finalist,” Hernandez stated. “I will reiterate the extensive search we undertook.”
Compensation
According to her employment agreement, for the 2025-2026 school year, she will be paid a Step One salary of $353,045 plus, a Doctorate stipend of $4,189 for total of $357,234 for the school year. Williams will also receive $12,000 for relocation expenses, $1,569 per day for up to a maximum of five eight-hour days to meet with the Interim Superintendent prior to July 1, 2025. Her benefits include a monthly automobile allowance of $300, health insurance and a term life insurance policy.
Controversial Background
An internet search resulted in several articles about the new AUSD superintendent’s current and previous two jobs, all in the past five years, offering details about the controversies surrounding her.
According to a December 14, 2022 article by the Palo Alto Daily Post Williams worked as the Sequoia Union High School District superintendent but left “amid a controversy.” She resigned from the $274,191-a-year job a day before, “though it wasn’t clear whether she jumped or was pushed by the school board to quit.”
“She had been superintendent since April 2021 after leaving a job in the Los Angeles Unified School District where she trained school principals and administrators about race and diversity,” the article reported.
A May 13, 2023, report by The Daily Journal, which serves the Peninsula on the west side of the San Francisco Bay, reported Williams was hired as the “new Pacifica School District superintendent.” She began the position on July 1st that year.
“Williams previously served as superintendent of the Sequoia Union High School District from April 2021 to December 2022,” the report continued. “Williams’ ousting came after she received a positive evaluation and the board voted 4-1 in August to extend her contract for three more years. The decision to separate sparked public outrage, leading some to accuse the board of racism, stocking distrust and acting illegally.”
District’s Announcement
The District announced Williams’ hiring on June 12th. It reads:
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Following a rigorous national search that attracted more than 31 accomplished educational leaders, the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Education is proud to announce the selection of Dr. Darnise R. Williams as the District’s next Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Williams was chosen through a thorough and inclusive process that involved stakeholder engagement, performance-based interviews, and a comprehensive background check.
With over three decades of dedicated service in California’s public education system, Dr. Williams has established herself as a leader with a student-centered approach and a knack for building systems that support all learners. Her journey has seen her excel at every level of education, from classroom teacher to site leader, district executive, and most recently, superintendent. Her belief in the transformative power of public education has always been her guiding light.
Dr. Williams’ career is marked by the successful launch of initiatives that have significantly increased access, enhanced instructional quality, and elevated support for historically disadvantaged students. Her leadership in the Pacifica School District saw the development of a multi-year fiscal stability plan and the successful voter approval for a local parcel tax to support programs. She also spearheaded the funding and groundbreaking of a workforce housing project, a move intended to improve teacher recruitment and retention.
Dr. Williams’ efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has secured state and federal grants for Strong Workforce, Career Technical Education (CTE), and early literacy, expanding opportunities for students to discover their strengths, explore future careers, and excel academically. The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Region 16, previously recognized her contributions and she was awarded the Curriculum Administrator of the Year title. Her reputation as a thoughtful, solutions-oriented leader is respected statewide.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the next Superintendent of Antioch Unified,” said Dr. Williams. “I believe in the brilliance and potential of every child—and I’m committed to working alongside our students, educators, families, and community to continue building schools where students are seen, supported, and inspired every day.” A proud product of Los Angeles public schools. Williams earned her high school diploma from Crenshaw High School, a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills and a Doctoral degree in
Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. Her leadership is rooted in experience, compassion, and a steadfast focus on student achievement, student voice and well-being.
Board of Education Welcomes a Leader with Heart and Vision
Statement from Antonio Hernandez, Board President
“Dr. Williams emerged as the clear and compelling choice in a pool of highly qualified candidates. She brings the vision, integrity, and calm strength needed to guide Antioch into its next chapter of growth and transformation. Her leadership is both strategic and deeply human—grounded in a commitment to see every student for their academic potential and their whole story. Dr. Williams’ focus on foster youth, students with special needs, and multilingual learners aligns powerfully with the heart of our District’s mission. She brings a rare combination of technical expertise, inclusive instructional knowledge, and the ability to listen with empathy and act with decisive clarity. We believe her leadership will leave a lasting, positive imprint on our schools, students, and the broader Antioch community.”
Dr. Williams will officially begin her role as Superintendent of Antioch Unified School District on July 1, 2025. Please click here to access Dr. Williams’ narrative bio.
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UPDATE: CV/Resume Not Provided
While District staff provided the narrative biography for Williams, with glowing accolades, a two-week effort to obtain he curriculum vitae, i.e. resume, from either Hernandez, the other board members or district staff was unsuccessful. Trustee Rocha said she was never given one and the same was reiterated by one of the panelists who interviewed the candidates but chose to remain anonymous. However, that person said they did meet the candidates in person, disputing what Area 3 Trustee Dr. Jag Lathan said about the hiring process during the meeting. A LinkedIn profile showing Williams’ work history could also not be found in an online search.
Although Dr. Williams introduced herself to this reporter following the vote, she did not respond to an email to the account with her current position at Pacifica School District asking for a copy of her resume and for her to call this reporter for an interview.
Please check back later for any additional updates to this report.
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