On the heels of the consolidation vote, the hangover continues for the Amador County Unified School District. With an expected switch of two seats to new members Keith Lynch and Ronnie Gold, both of whom were vocally against consolidation, many members of the public urged the board against making further decisions in line with the planned reorganization of the county’s secondary schools. Throughout the meeting board member James Marzano judged each voting item against its effects on the premise of consolidation eventually being overturned once the new members are seated following their swearing in on December 14th. Items up for vote included contracts with both teachers and classified staff, each receiving bonuses not necessarily tied to if consolidation does in fact see itself through, according to Superintendent Jared Critchfield. Approval was given for those and for a retirement incentives plan meant to provide direct savings for the district in replacing teachers with higher salaries due to their tenure with new teachers. The plan offers up to 20 eligible employees 60% of their pay to those 55+ with 10 or more years of full-time employment saving the district over $1.5 million over the next two school years. The board also approved transportation contracts made as “backup plans” according to Assistant Superintendent of Business Robert Norton due to delays in the planned purchase of additional vans for the district.
Written by Melissa Ray