The Hayward Unified School District board voted to terminate Superintendent Stan "Data" Dobbs early Thursday morning, as its Wednesday meeting extended past midnight.
Dobbs had been suspended after the completion of a three-month-long investigation, which sifted through alleged wrongdoings committed by Dobbs during his tenure.
Before the meeting, Dobbs remained positive.
"I hope that they will make a decision that's in the best interest of Hayward," Dobbs said, adding that he believed he should be reinstated.
In June, Dobbs came under fire for inviting former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald, who was previously accused of domestic violence and sexual assault, to speak to students at Tennyson High School in Hayward about self-discipline. The students were not made aware of McDonald's criminal history before his motivational speech.
Before that, Dobbs' run of controversial behavior began back in September 2015 when he allegedly got tangled up in a physical confrontation with two school board trustees during a closed-door meeting. During the tirade, the board members also claimed that Dobbs fired a profanity-laden rant toward the other board members during that meeting.
Dobbs said he was targeted.
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"The issue is how do you respond to the vendetta," he said. "My goal has always been to stay professional."
One of those trustees who filed a police report following that outburst said the board does not hold any grudges against Dobbs.
"Well, there are plenty of rumors out there, but one thing I can assure you, there will be a school board meeting tonight and it will be like any other board meeting," board member Luis Reynoso said. "We're not here to fire anyone. We're here to do what's best for the kids and we will take action on items that are best for the kids."
Dobbs, who denies any misconduct, started his stint with Hayward Unified in 2013 before being placed on paid administrative leave in June.
A Change.org petition, which has grabbed 368 supporters as of late Wednesday morning, is currently in circulation voicing support for keeping Dobbs in office. It credits him for increased test scores and higher graduation rates in the district.
Dressed in blue T-shirts, dozens of students and their parents flocked to the meeting at Hayward City Hall to support Dobbs. Melissa Sigars has two children in the district and believes Dobbs is the right leader for them.
"He’s been this solid force that’s been invested in the kids and the community," she said.
Wednesday night's meeting began with closed-door deliberations at 5 p.m.
