Alhambra Board Recommends Top Candidates for Vacant School Seat | The Locally Times
After public interviews, the Alhambra Elementary School District Governing Board has forwarded its top three choices to the Maricopa County School Superintendent, who holds the final authority to appoint a new member to the critical role.
The future of Alhambra Elementary School District's (AESD) budget, curriculum, and policies rests partly on a decision now in the hands of the Maricopa County School Superintendent. The Superintendent is poised to appoint a new Governing Board member following a rigorous selection process by the AESD Board, which recently forwarded its top candidates for the vacant seat. The appointment fills the unexpired term of Rocio Santana, who resigned effective January 22, 2026, and will serve until December 2026. ## From Applications to Shortlist The search for a new board member began January 23, 2026, with the district widely advertising the vacancy on its website, social media, and through email communications to parents. Applicants had to reside within the Alhambra Elementary School District and submit a resume and a letter outlining their motivation, qualifications, and vision for public education in the community. The deadline for applications was 9 AM on Monday, February 23, 2026, with email timestamps determining eligibility. By 5 PM that same day, the Executive Assistant to the Governing Board compiled and distributed all applications electronically to Board members. Board members then selected up to six candidates, submitting their choices by 9 AM on Thursday, February 26. Top applicants received notification by 5 PM on Friday, February 27. ## Public Interviews and Board's Final Picks In a public Special Meeting held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 5 PM, the Governing Board interviewed the shortlisted candidates, allowing community members to observe the proceedings. After the interviews, Board members individually ranked their top three choices. These final three candidates were then forwarded to the Maricopa County School Superintendent by 5 PM on Friday, March 6, for final consideration. To ensure a comprehensive review, the district also sent all initial applications to the Superintendent. ## County Superintendent Holds Final Say The AESD Governing Board's role is to recommend up to three qualified individuals to the Maricopa County School Superintendent within 30 days of a vacancy notification. The Superintendent will weigh these recommendations alongside all other applications received. The appointed member will serve the remainder of the term, which concludes in December 2026. While district announcements required applicants to reside within AESD, the specific qualifications or criteria the Maricopa County School Superintendent will use beyond the Board's recommendations are not detailed in the source material. The exact date for the final appointment remains unspecified. ## Key Details at a Glance **Application Deadline:** Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9 AM. **Board Interviews:** Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 5 PM, during a public Special Meeting. **Term of Service:** The appointed member will serve until December 2026, completing the current term.