Dr. Jocelyn Hively, Superintendent of Oildale’s Standard School District, resigned from her post following intense pressure from district teachers and employees and a vote of no confidence in her leadership amid criticism she took too many taxpayer-funded trips for out-of-town and out-of-state conferences.
The announcement made at the district’s regularly-scheduled board meeting on Tuesday.
Driving the news: In a statement released during the meeting, Standard School District’s board of trustees acknowledged Dr. Hively’s dedication and commitment during her tenure, appreciating her contributions to the district, staff, students, and the community.
- The board also emphasized that the decision for a leadership transition was made in mutual agreement.
- The resignation follows the passing of a resolution of no confidence in Dr. Hively by the Standard Teachers Association at a board meeting on May 13.
- As part of the mutual separation, Hively will receive severance equal to six months of base salary starting from Jan 1, 2026.
- Hively’s tenure as superintendent will officially end on June 30.
The backstory: Hively was the subject of ire after Standard’s teachers association executed a vote of no confidence, anchored around concerns regarding her out-of-state trips and conferences and questioning her credentials as a superintendent without past teaching experience.
- According to public records requests, Hively expensed trips to Seattle, New Orleans, Sacramento, San Diego and San Luis Obispo, among other places in 2024. Other trips included New York in 2023 and Washington D.C. this year.
- She also attended high-priced conferences – including a $4,200 registration for the Disneyland-based “Disney Institute” and the National School Board Association’s 2024 conference in New Orleans, costing taxpayers$8,250 in registration fees alone.
