Pleasanton Middle School Principal Joe Nguyen Stepping Down

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton Middle School Joe Nguyen will step down at the end of the 2022-23 year, Pleasanton Unified School District confirmed. Nguyen did not give a reason for his departure, or say what he plans to do next.

“While I will miss our Panther community, I am looking forward to a new opportunity and challenge,” Nguyen said in a statement that the district shared with Patch. “This was not an easy decision to make, as I have enjoyed my time here at Pleasanton Middle School and continue to be amazed by the dedication of our staff and the support of our families. I am grateful for the relationships that were forged here. There are many promising opportunities on the horizon at Pleasanton Middle School that will have a positive impact on our students and know that our Panther community will continue to thrive.”

PUSD said in a statement that they are looking for a replacement for the upcoming school year. “We would like to thank Joe Nguyen for his dedication and service to the Pleasanton Middle School community over the last four years. We wish him well in his future endeavors,” spokesperson Patrick Gannon said on behalf of the district. “PUSD has begun the recruitment process for the principal position with the goal of having an individual selected by the end of the year.”

Nguyen started working at Pleasanton in July 2019 after serving seven years as principal of Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon, according to a Pleasanton Weekly report. The news of his departure comes not long after the school was criticized for its handling of a violent incident between two PMS students in front of the Pleasanton Public Library that circulated widely on social media.