As a parent of 3 children in the MVWSD for the past 10 years I have found Craig Goldman to be dismissive, grandiose, unable to compromise and unwilling to collaborate in the best interest of our children. To quote him when our child couldn't read in third grade, "We offer a 3rd grade education mandated by the State of California. We are doing our job."

GOOD RIDDANCE.

I agree. He's been arrogant & dismissive in my dealing with him. I'm glad he's leaving.

Goldman disrespected parents and teachers and his autocratic leadership style will not be missed. Just check out the Mercury News article based on his own leak of a cartoon he felt was offensive. See Web Link

Someone posted on Facebook a cartoon depicting him jumping in anger, shouting "How dare you speak out! I am the superintendent!" and wearing a bicorne – a two-cornered naval hat associated with Napoleon. He argued that he was being ridiculed based on his height, rather than his dictatorial tendencies.

To which I would say, c'mon, Goldman, put on your big-boy pants (and don't go running to air our dirty laundry in public)! Even the Merc quipped:
"We wonder if this is how Mt. View-Whisman teaches students to deal with online ridicule."

You would think with all of the controversy surrounding his behavior the Voice would have included at least one critical voice in their coverage!

I recall when the Santa Clara County Grand Jury criticized the very generous salaries of Superintendents and made specific recommendations to change. After I posted a comment about how wise it would be to follow some of their recommendations and moderate the incredible "compensation", Daniel Debolt of this publication replied that Grand Jury Reports are "a dime a dozen", but getting a really good candidate for leader was well worth the several hundred thousand $. Probably any of t he experienced Principals in this district would have been a better choice, and at significantly less money. Somebody doesn't work out and gets a full year's farewell gift?

I agree with the above. Goldman has an autocratic leadership style that has fostered distrust and resentment. That was unfortunate for the district.

Mr. Goldman was a wonderful superintendent. @James Hall, Mr Goldman was the principal for Huff school when it opened for nine years I believe. Even then he had his law degree and I believe his MBA along with his teaching credentials. He moved up the ranks bringing his passion and love to provide better education to the children of Mountain View. Mr. Goldman will be missed by many.

If Goldman is resigning and not being fired, why does the district have to pay him $227,027.

Craig Goldman could do one last service: Write an open letter to his successor passing-on candid advice on how to lead MVWSD. It doesn't look easy.

We need to consider the possibility that the board asked him to leave now. The timing follows the timing of the election which makes such a conclusion seem rather obvious. The board wins from scapegoating the superintendent. And the board we have now definitely flaps in the wind and takes the cake for scapegoating. They probably offered him the resignation package for mid-year. He could easily have stayed on until June and conducted his own job search on the side. That would have been acceptable. Instead we, the taxpayers, get stuck with a huge bill. Way to go board. If I were Mr. Goldman I would call in sick or take my vacation days beginning on Monday.

The article said,"He said he was the one who proposed resigning to the board". That sounds like he resigned on his own accord. Therefore, I'd also like to know how someone can quit and still a year's salary? Board members obviously read these comments. Can someone clarify this for us in the name of transparency?

Here is how you know that Goldman is not a leader: He has no followers.

Could the Voice please look into the legality of providing this severance package? Did he resign or did they ask him to resign? Even if they asked him to resign, the board is not obligated to provide a severance package, as would be the case in trying to get rid of a tenured teacher. It's almost certain that Goldman asked for the severance package, just as he negotiated his 5% raise.

Even though his last day of employment is December 2014, the lump sum will be paid in January 2015 so as not to affect his taxes. Plus medical care for a year? Plus a pension? This $227,000 is about equivalent to a $1000 bonus per teacher. What if $227,000 were spent on the students instead of a golden parachute for an already highly-paid administrator.

Did they want him to leave, or did he want to leave? We'll never know, it's a secret. It's an opaque system. Decisions are made in "closed session" and the board "can't comment on personnel matters."

There IS no transparency at MVWSD.

"There IS no transparency at MVWSD." Boy, that stings. There are personel issues involved that are covered by state Ed Code, and the Contracts that we (MVWSD Board) signed with Mr. Goldman last year and signed at the meeting reported. The original contract is a Publc Document, and the new Contract is a Public Document.

Other than 'sensationalist' headline (Andrea!), my opinion is that the reporter, and the public release from the District (administration) on the MVWSD website represent what can be disclosed, in the most transparent manner possible Under-These-Circumstances.

Mr. Goldman did have a very large following as a leader! This seems to be the Goldman detractor posting site, while the other article, has much more Goldman supporter postings. 'The truth is ...' my world view ...'complex.'

Steven Nelson is a Trustee of the MVWSD and his comments are restricted by Contract, and a regard for the delacacies of Ed Code. These comments are, as always, his own.

@Elaine: I don"t believe the Board asked him to leave. He resigned. Craig is highly qualified for just about any job in the Education sector and will be easily picked up by a district that recognizes what an asset he is. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a number of districts have not already contacted him once his resignation was announced. He is highly, highly respected in the local education community.

Unfortunately, one of the trustees has created a hostile working environment which no professional is going to tolerate. The losers here are the community and students - it is going to be extremely difficult for the district to attract highly qualified candidates for the superintendent position as long as this person is allowed to continue on the Board. The Board has already censured him - it is now time for the community to step up and recall him.

Anyone know why tonight's board meeting isn't being broadcast. I would like to see it!

I've only known Craig Goldman for 3 years as Superintendent. I've liked his style. You always knew what he was thinking. His ideas and comments always seemed reasonable to me.

I for one am sorry to see him go on bad terms. I think the last fight with the teachers was the last straw. I don't blame him. The behavior of the teachers was infantile.

He's being paid to leave. $212 thousand dollars to resign. Good for him, bad for us.

It is with real sadness that I read the news that Craig Goldman is leaving the MVWSD. He was principal at Huff when my son started school in 2004. I remember him doing gymnastic flips and running awesome Halloween parades. When my son was in second grade, I asked him what he liked about school he told me, "I love my principal." Given that most principals are seen by kids as mean disciplinarians, I thought this was quite a compliment. As superintendent, Craig worked with our family on a sensitive school-related issue, and I was reminded again of what an effective child advocate he was. People are complaining about his "style," when they should focus on what he has done for the children of this district. I am so disappointed that Craig's resignation could in any way be viewed as a good solution to the problems in the MVWSD.