Gilroy Unified board names assistant principal and custodial supervisor, forwards ICE-resolution to county group
June 30, 2026 | Gilroy Unified, School Districts, California
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The Gilroy Unified School District board on Tuesday reported two personnel appointments made during closed session and said it circulated a resolution concerning an ICE detention center to the county school boards association.
Board President said the board approved naming Kristen Duca as assistant principal at Solarzano Middle School, with six in favor and one board member absent. "I am very excited that in closed session there were a couple of appointments made," the president said. The board said Duca brings 17 years of teaching experience across early elementary and middle grades, joined Gilroy Unified in 2018 as a literacy facilitator at Lasanimas Elementary School, completed a master’s degree in educational leadership and an administrative credential from San Diego State University in December 2025, and will begin as assistant principal on July 1.
The board also reported selecting Jesus Flores Almeida as custodial supervisor; the president said that vote was five in favor, one absent and one abstention. The president described Almeida as a district employee with more than 17 years of service in custodial work, grounds maintenance, irrigation, campus security and locksmith operations and said the district expects him to lead the custodial team.
During a board report, the president said she attended a meeting convened by IPAN, the group that brings together school trustees in Santa Clara County, to discuss a district resolution related to an ICE detention center. She said she forwarded the district's resolution to Bonnie Mace at the Santa Clara County School Boards Association to share with other districts; the board noted that Franklin McKinley adopted the resolution and that Sunnyvale acted soon after Gilroy Unified did. A board member who spoke during the meeting thanked the president for taking leadership on the issue: "Thank you for taking your leadership on that. It's really important," the member said.
Board members also noted that district staff — including Nicole Pearson — attend IPAN meetings and help translate resolutions into actionable steps for the district. Separately, a member said they will attend a community event at "Neweva Viva" to encourage community members to consider running for the school board. Another member reiterated a prior request from Trustee Marino to develop a written stipend proposal for board members to help recruit candidates.
The meeting was recorded and broadcast. The president adjourned the session at 9:22 a.m. and said the board will not meet again until August.
Board President said the board approved naming Kristen Duca as assistant principal at Solarzano Middle School, with six in favor and one board member absent. "I am very excited that in closed session there were a couple of appointments made," the president said. The board said Duca brings 17 years of teaching experience across early elementary and middle grades, joined Gilroy Unified in 2018 as a literacy facilitator at Lasanimas Elementary School, completed a master’s degree in educational leadership and an administrative credential from San Diego State University in December 2025, and will begin as assistant principal on July 1.
The board also reported selecting Jesus Flores Almeida as custodial supervisor; the president said that vote was five in favor, one absent and one abstention. The president described Almeida as a district employee with more than 17 years of service in custodial work, grounds maintenance, irrigation, campus security and locksmith operations and said the district expects him to lead the custodial team.
During a board report, the president said she attended a meeting convened by IPAN, the group that brings together school trustees in Santa Clara County, to discuss a district resolution related to an ICE detention center. She said she forwarded the district's resolution to Bonnie Mace at the Santa Clara County School Boards Association to share with other districts; the board noted that Franklin McKinley adopted the resolution and that Sunnyvale acted soon after Gilroy Unified did. A board member who spoke during the meeting thanked the president for taking leadership on the issue: "Thank you for taking your leadership on that. It's really important," the member said.
Board members also noted that district staff — including Nicole Pearson — attend IPAN meetings and help translate resolutions into actionable steps for the district. Separately, a member said they will attend a community event at "Neweva Viva" to encourage community members to consider running for the school board. Another member reiterated a prior request from Trustee Marino to develop a written stipend proposal for board members to help recruit candidates.
The meeting was recorded and broadcast. The president adjourned the session at 9:22 a.m. and said the board will not meet again until August.
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