Pioneer Valley High School Principal Shanda Herrera has been placed on paid administrative leave.

“I can confirm that Pioneer Valley High School Principal Shanda Herrera has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the results of an investigation,’’ said Kenny Klein, public information officer for the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. 

“The decision to place an employee on administrative leave does not reflect any determination about the merits of the allegations. The allegations will be promptly investigated by a third-party investigator to ensure that the process is fair, thorough and as prompt as possible, and that the process respects the rights of all involved. Given that this involves a confidential employee matter, I cannot provide any further details.”

Paul Robinson has been named acting principal for the campus on the northeast section of the city, Klein said. Robinson most recently served as the director of career technical education for the district. 

While district leaders say the matter remains under investigation, Herrera’s name and photo have been removed from the school’s website, including the Principal’s Corner page and staff directory.

In June, a large group of staff and community members rallied to support Herrera after she received a 45-day notice. The reprimand referred to inappropriate and unprofessional conduct.

The action occurred after Herrera said in an email that she did not want any fifth-year special-education students, much like her policy for English learner students.

Some viewed her statement as protecting an overcrowded and impact campus. Others contended that she sought to protect graduation rates, instead of providing an equal education to all students.

Each June, PVHS typically has the highest number of graduates, with 730 for the class of 2024 compared with 700 for Santa Maria High School and 573 for Ernest Righetti High. 

The newest action to suspend Herrera became effective last Friday, three days after multiple people spoke out against her during last Tuesday’s board meeting.

For about an hour during the board’s meeting, speakers complained of what they said was Herrera’s pattern of bad conduct over years, including allegations of discrimination. 

“We want a change of principal now and set a precedent so that our students are treated with dignity, respect and their rights are never violated again,” said Juan Fonseca, a parent leader and activist who is president of the English Learner Advisory Committee for the campus and district.

Herrera, only the second principal at PVHS since it opened in August 2004, was given a 45-day termination warning June 7, prompting the campus community to rally in support.

A few weeks later, district leaders sent her a written warning that requires the credentialed employee to improve their conduct or face serious consequences, and denied plans to terminate her or change principal assignments for the 2024-25 school year.

The reasons for that action remained secret initially, but the reprimand and some of her emails were eventually released after she and her attorney fought in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria to keep them private.

The newest action against Herrera occurred two weeks after she presided over the celebration of the high school’s 20th annual celebration.