The Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees has selected Ed Diolazo to serve as the district's next superintendent. Diolazo will begin his tenure on Jan. 1, 2027, with a contract extending through June 30, 2030. He will replace current Superintendent Maurice Ghysels, who has announced plans to retire by Dec. 31, 2026.
Ghysels, a graduate of Amador Valley High School, previously held superintendent roles in Mountain View and Menlo Park for more than a decade. He was appointed as PUSD's interim superintendent in July 2024 and confirmed as the permanent leader in June 2025.
Although his original contract was set to expire in June 2027, the board accepted his notice of early retirement, according to a report in Pleasanton Weekly.
Diolazo has been with the district since 2017, initially serving as assistant superintendent of student support services. In July 2022, he was promoted to deputy superintendent of educational services, a role in which he oversees programs ranging from preschool to adult learning.
During his nine years with PUSD, he has been involved in managing remote learning during the pandemic, establishing the Pleasanton Virtual Academy, and implementing fiscal stabilization measures. He also contributed to the development of more inclusive programs for students with special needs.
Before joining PUSD, Diolazo accumulated more than 30 years of experience in public education. His background includes serving as director of special services at San Lorenzo Unified School District for over a decade, working as a school psychologist, consulting for the Alameda County Office of Education, and teaching in the educational psychology department at California State University, Hayward.
