Bellevue Schools Superintendent Resigns

Bellevue School District Superintendent Amalia Cudeiro will not renew her contract with the district, citing family medical issues, according to the Bellevue School District.

Cudeiro went around the time of winter break.

Assistant Superintendent Eva Collins, who has been as interim superintendent during Cudeiro's leave, has agreed to continue as Interim Superintendent while the Board discusses a next step, according to a press release by the school board.

“I am saddened to receive this notice, but understand Amalia has to do what is in the best interest of her family at this time,” said School Board President Paul Mills.  “While Amalia led the District, she kept the Board briefed of her family situation in California and her decision to take a family medical leave was not a surprise to us.  I think most people can appreciate how difficult it can be to help a parent with medical issues and we support her decision.”

Cudeiro took a family medical leave to care for her mother, who had a stroke and is battling cancer.  

Cudeiro’s contract with the District expires June 30, 2012. Under the terms of her contract, Cudeiro is required to notify the Board of her intent whether to seek contract renewal, according to a district press release. The Superintendent has notified the Board and has requested that the Board accept her resignation effective Jan. 31. 

Cudeiro was named Bellevue's superintendent in 2009, as the permanent replacement for longtime Superintendent Mike Riley. Cudeiro and her husband Jeff Nelsen, co-founded and are senior partners of Targeted Leadership Consulting, a firm that specializes in school-leadership training, though Cudeiro is currently listed as being on-leave.

During her tenure at the Bellevue School District, her continued involvement with the company she founded became an issue when the Bellevue Education Association cited it as one of the reasons behind a no-confidence vote against the superintedent after a prolonged contract negotiations. Cudeiro had told the the Seattle Times in 2010 that she intended to return to her company after making reforms in Bellevue.