Livermore Superintendent Leaves Abruptly In Mutual Separation Agreement

LIVERMORE, CA — The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Torie Gibson mutually agreed to part ways last Friday, according to a news release from the district. The board will meet Tuesday to name an interim superintendent.

“We thank Dr. Gibson for her service and leadership during her tenure with the district. Her commitment to understanding and addressing both day-to-day and long-term structural challenges within the district is commendable. We wish her every success in her future professional endeavors,” LVJUSD Board President Steven Drouin said in a statement.

Gibson’s contract was supposed to last until June 2029, but both parties agreed to end it early, according to a separation agreement that LVJUSD shared with Patch. She will receive a lump-sum severance package equal to 12 months of her base salary, totaling $364,000, and 12 months of health insurance benefits. The agreement allows the district to provide a positive reference for future employers, and includes a mutual release of claims related to the separation.

“Serving the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District has been a deeply meaningful experience,” Gibson said in a statement. “I am grateful to the Livermore community for their partnership, trust, and shared commitment to our students. Although we faced real challenges along the way, I am proud of the work we accomplished together to strengthen systems, improve transparency and collaboration, and better support students across the district.”

Gibson was hired in the summer of 2024, after serving as the dual superintendent for the Amador County Office of Education and Amador County Unified School District. Her sudden departure comes on the heels of controversial and emotional negotiations to cut $16.3 million that initially included plans to close down two elementary schools, plans that have since been abandoned. At a school board meeting in January, LVJUSD Board President Steven Drouin accused Gibson of seeking “minimal input” in the process, and called the proposed cuts a “rush job to move on and get done with.”

The Livermore Education Association released a statement saying that its members were “relieved” to learn of Gibson's departure.

“Prior to the announcement of her departure, members took a Vote of No Confidence in the Superintendent slated to be presented to the School Board during the regularly scheduled February 10th meeting,” the union said. “We are hopeful our District is able to refocus on prioritizing students.”

SEE ALSO:

• New Superintendent Selected In Livermore
• LVJUSD Could Close Down 2 Elementary Schools, Postpones Votes For Over $16M In Cuts