School Principal’s Drug Arrest Creates Shock and Anger

SAN JOSE — School officials expressed shock and anger Thursday over the arrest of an elementary school principal for allegedly selling drugs in the school parking lot.

Ricardo Trevino, 46, was arrested Wednesday afternoon by two sheriff’s deputies and a Campbell police officer after allegedly selling $80 worth of methamphetamine to a police informant in the parking lot of Mayfair Elementary School.

Trevino was taken into custody at his office and released late Wednesday. He has been placed on paid leave pending arraignment. A teacher and former assistant principal at the school, Jerry Santibanes, was appointed interim principal.

Trevino was known for his outspoken work against drugs and gangs at the school, whose 650 students are 90% Latino. Trevino was booked on suspicion of selling illegal drugs, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

“It’s been a combination of disbelief, sadness, anger, a feeling of betrayal,” said Larry Aceves, Alum Rock School District superintendent.

“He was very popular. Very pro-kids, anti-drugs, high self-esteem. A role model for Latino children.”

Aceves said the school board will decide what kind of action to take once charges have been brought and Trevino is arraigned.

The school brought in three district psychologists to help faculty and students cope with the arrest, Aceves said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Dale Sanderson said no date had been set for Trevino’s arraignment.

There was no evidence that he had sold drugs to students, police said. Evidence seized during the arrest of two people this week led police to Trevino, they said.

Trevino has been principal at Mayfair for three years.