In a stunning development, the board of the Firebaugh/Las Deltas Unified School District announced that superintendent Roy Mendiola has been released.
According to a notice sent to district employees, the decision was made at the regular board meeting held on May 9.
“I want to notify you personally to let you know of an important change affecting our district,” said school board president Ron Parker in the memo. “At its regular meeting on May 9, 2025, the school board took action to release from his position (Mendiola) as district superintendent,” effective immediately.
Parker added that the board will be exploring options for temporary leadership for the district while it begins the process of looking for a full-time replacement.
According to the memo, Milagros Delgado, who is currently the Director of Educational Services, will serve as the acting superintendent. Diana Lopez, who is employed at the district office in the Migrant Education Department, will be the acting assistant superintendent.
“We will keep the district focused on moving forward and providing the best education possible for our students. Thank you for your understanding during this time of transition,” said Parker. “I want to thank Dr. Mendiola for his years of service with the district.”
Mendiola served as the district’s assistant superintendent under former superintendent Rusty Freitas. He left to become the superintendent of a school district in the Merced area before returning to Firebaugh as superintendent. He succeeded Freitas, who left in 2021 after heading the district for 11.
Last summer, Mendiola and the school board were engulfed in controversy that brought out a large number of concerned community members to school board meetings.
Allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against Mendiola and members of the community spoke to the board about being more transparent about the situation.
Citing personnel rules, the board never responded publicly, but they commissioned an independent investigation, which found that while Mendiola did say things that were deemed inappropriate, they did not rise to the level of termination.
The Firebaugh school district educates 2,400 students at its six schools as well as a community day school and adult education.
