Crystal Sousa, who served for seven years on the Denair Unified Board of Trustees before her resignation in March, will return to the district in a new role in the next school year – principal of Denair Elementary Charter Academy.
The move was announced at Thursday night’s board meeting and shared Friday morning with DECA staff and the rest of the district’s employees.
Sousa has nearly two decades of educational experience, including the past six as an administrator with the Merced County Office of Education, where she led Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and restorative practices across charter and alternative programs.
“The selection team included parents, teachers, classified staff and administrators,” said Denair Superintendent Terry Metzger. “The team unanimously felt that Mrs. Sousa is an excellent match for DECA and that she will help us reach our goals of academic excellence, having a positive and safe campus, and fostering belonging for all students and families. We’re all excited for her to (re)join the Denair Team.
Sousa was twice elected to the Denair Unified board, where she helped set policy and establish a direction for the district. Her new role will give her an entirely different set of responsibilities.
“I understand that transitioning from a governance role to site leadership requires shifting from policy-setting to policy implementation, but this is a strength,” she said. “My experience as a trustee has provided me with a solid understanding of the district’s goals, priorities, and values. I am excited to help bring those policies to life at the school level.
“Moving forward, my focus will be on fostering collaboration, consistency, and clear communication as I work to support students, staff, and families every day.”
DECA is home to nearly 600 students in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. As a charter school, it has a strong reputation for academics and its multi-cultural approach to education. It also is known for its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, in which many students participate. They are taught in English and Spanish.
“We have a unique campus with amazing educational opportunities for all students,” Sousa said. “We have a strong traditional program, DLI, preschool, a solid special education program, and the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), all reflecting DECA’s commitment to whole-child development, academic excellence, and equitable access to learning.”
As a trustee, Sousa advocated for programs promoting biliteracy and cultural understanding, including DLI.
“DLI is important because it empowers students to become bilingual, biliterate, and culturally competent, skills that enhance cognitive development and prepare students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world,” she said.
Sousa said her primary goal at DECA is to strengthen the strong foundation that already exists by continuing to build a safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous environment where all students feel supported and challenged.
“I plan to focus on fostering strong relationships with students, staff, and families while supporting the continued implementation of MTSS and PBIS to meet the diverse needs of all learners,” she said.
One challenge she anticipates is to rebuild trust and stability after several years of administrative turnover at DECA.
“I understand that staff, students, and families may need time to feel confident in my long-term commitment to the school,” Sousa said. “I plan to approach this with consistency, transparency, and a strong presence on campus, showing through my actions that I am here for the long haul and fully invested in DECA’s success.”
Sousa will replace Laura Cardenas, who has led the campus since 2023 and is stepping aside to care for her mother.
