[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6461147,"mediaKeyId","5825713-706a3d9a98a11d668b55f89c4102b7d6","parentId",5825713,"title","Mt. Diablo Unified extends superintendent—Dr. Adam Clark—contract through 2029 amid union concerns","audioSeconds",1513,"startMs",5357000,"endMs",6870000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825713-706a3d9a98a11d668b55f89c4102b7d6&start=5357&end=6870","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825713-706a3d9a98a11d668b55f89c4102b7d6/thumbnail_5357000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461147/California/Mt-Diablo-Unified-extends-superintendentDr-Adam-Clarkcontract-through-2029-amid-union-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461147-d1b6530531100976e7f070c1d4522cd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1777411441&Signature=Sc0cvnNunO5IpOtQpAstNi28EUgSvODbvqon5N44lX~x0HNH4Q8PmWNKynLpHmC2ICCjbLG7kGKupwAYXUi6cFRfsAoYGBkoytTVnvsXfBCF4cQPyfH-oaUeRQjZ3RVlZ0aC-oRbAozv~Gigh7BUqcf0z9B5pb-2wk~NvaIGd6NWZFX8L7Pc62mJTViZcJEjOryeFKfedcsmfU-~YkWqnkMjjSSz8VJ~-sDYfNNiHMP7Vpewoo4MxfyXSp5H2kqWmfBfkCsPcOK7a5G7ml34ITlUvlFFC6jRBG0BNV~PZsl9pClaRJyXG2hHYsvlXKrCTpXZGlWrMSqRcKoE7opvwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mt. Diablo Unified","date","2025-09-25T05:00:21.19Z","article","The Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education voted to extend Superintendent Adam Clark\u0000employment agreement to June 30, 2029, approving a first amendment to his contract in a public meeting on Sept. 24, 2025.

The board approved the amendment by voice and roll-call motion, with Trustee Mason making the motion and Trustee Lawrence seconding. The board announced the motion was adopted on a 4-yes, 0-no, 1-abstention vote; student trustee Barrera Orianna voiced support. Trustee McDougall recorded the abstention.

The amendment sets Clark\u0000base salary at $326,350 and adds a $24,290 annual district contribution to a tax-deferred compensation plan. The only change to the existing agreement, the board\u0000s general counsel said, was the contract term: July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.

Why it matters: Supporters said the extension preserves leadership continuity as the district implements multi-year goals. Opponents and some members of the public urged the board to wait.

Union leaders and parents urged the board to prioritize a negotiated settlement with educators before extending top-level contracts. Linda Ortega, president of the Mount Diablo Education Association, told the board she was \"surprised\" to see the extension on the agenda while the district had not yet settled a contract with classroom educators. Ortega said many teachers are working second jobs and called for smaller classes, fully staffed classrooms, and fully paid medical benefits.

Several parents and volunteers echoed Ortega\u0000s theme during public comment. Sarah Brinkman, a parent and member of a school PFC executive board, urged the board to address ongoing building and safety concerns at Mount Diablo Elementary and called the timing of the extension \"not in the best interest of the district\u0000s students or educational community.\" Cora Mitchell, a community member, urged the board to slow the decision and asked for public access to the evaluation criteria used by trustees.

Board discussion centered on Clark\u0000record and districtwide changes during his tenure. Trustee Nzewi and Trustee Lawrence cited increased site visits and systemwide initiatives, saying they had observed improved consistency of services across schools. Trustee Mason and President Linda Mayo highlighted facilities work and expanded services under Clark\u0000leadership. Trustee McDougall said she would abstain to allow more time to study the amendment and said she had participated in only one evaluation cycle since joining the board.

Clark responded after the vote, saying he is \"extremely proud to serve this board\" and reiterated that his priority is the students. He said the administration will continue implementing goals and supports across the district.

What the contract does not change: The district said other material terms in Clark\u0000existing contract remain unchanged, including stated base salary. The general counsel read required contract terms into the public record before the board voted, per Government Code requirements.

Next steps: The board will post the superintendent\u0000s approved goals and the amended contract as required. The board and the superintendent will continue contract negotiations with classified and certificated bargaining units independently of this employment amendment.

Key quotes

\"We can see the district takes care of its highest paid employees, but not settle contract with its over 1,600 educators who work directly with our students every single school day,\" Linda Ortega said.

\"As long as I'm leading this district, I will do everything in my power to support our students,\" Dr. Adam Clark said after the vote.

Ending

The board recorded the contract amendment as adopted during the Sept. 24 meeting. The extension was approved despite public appeals that the board postpone action until educator contract talks are concluded and after calls for more transparency about the performance evidence used to justify an extension.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mt. Diablo USD Board Meeting 9/24/2025 Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","The Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education voted 4-0 with one abstention to approve a first amendment extending Superintendent Adam Clark\u0000contract to June 30, 2029. The decision drew public comment from parents and union leaders who said the board should not act while educator contract talks remain unresolved.","taxTitle","Mt. Diablo Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",14134,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461140,"Votes at a glance: Mount Diablo Unified board adopts multiple October recognitions and personnel measures",2956,2393000,5349000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825713-706a3d9a98a11d668b55f89c4102b7d6&start=2393&end=5349","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825713-706a3d9a98a11d668b55f89c4102b7d6/thumbnail_2393000.jpg","/articles/6461140/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Mount-Diablo-Unified-board-adopts-multiple-October-recognitions-and-personnel-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461140-71d2ff141f32434fe1b3448803b667b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1777411441&Signature=nmOVeSE6VeT~XcCx3-KRzRwsXJS2dKYvUVyb~QRmrwGE3NachOM~REbbCcDTA~B7e39aswNMbsBwPixP8EYUloA-oAedv6dFyJx~lrjH1BGPeybcuP6b9p1IOyEJb3AEgeSIJdCkdhIjso6pb5xx0WkK3bv~0005rneqc~Q1XTUMqbeU3Nsl57D6MBeB1iOV7BVoqcG9UrS05vLjBcVsTjA8x~NQupp3v0fCMpDCB8nq54mcOKjGic7uce4aNWZZidyWP6O0ZzFt6~ljZXtEOtAF62R0OYiSFMb4BJMm7GuqCv~Ul4pRAphs0mQt~DrnMOHgBvpM4aKAAujGrA5hYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education approved a series of resolutions and personnel items during its Sept. 24, 2025 meeting. The recognitions were largely routine items but included a contested vote on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) History Month.

Key votes and outcomes

- Resolution 25/26-11, Dyslexia Awareness Month (October 2025): adopted unanimously (5-0; student trustee supported).

- Resolution 25/26-12, Disability Awareness Month (October 2025): adopted unanimously (5-0; student trustee supported).

- Resolution 25/26-16, Indigenous Peoples\u0000Day (10/13/2025): adopted 4-0 with 1 abstention.

- Resolution 25/26-17, Filipino American History Month (October 2025): adopted unanimously (5-0; student trustee supported).

- Resolution 25/26-18, LGBTQ History Month (October 2025): adopted 4-1 (one no vote recorded by a trustee).

- Resolution 25/26-19, California Week of the School Administrator (October 2025): adopted unanimously (5-0).

- Resolution 25/26-20, National School Lunch Week (Oct. 13-17, 2025): adopted unanimously (5-0).

- Resolution 25/26-21, Anti-Bullying Awareness Month (October 2025): adopted unanimously (5-0).

- Resolution 25/26-22, Youth Justice Action Month (October 2025): adopted 4-0 with 1 abstention.

Personnel and business items

- Resolution 25/26-23, provisional internship permits for a teacher at Mount Diablo High School: adopted unanimously (5-0).

- Resolution 25/26-24, variable-term waivers for two teachers (Bel Air and Sunrise Elementary): adopted unanimously (5-0).

- Appointment of Sheila McCumber as principal of Sun Terrace Elementary School: ratified unanimously (5-0).

Board procedure notes: Most votes were recorded by roll call. Where trustees explicitly stated their votes in the record, those tallies are reflected above. When votes were taken with no named roll-call breakdown in the transcript, the board announced the final tallies publicly.

Context and one contested vote

Several of the calendar recognitions drew brief remarks or no discussion and were approved without opposition. The LGBTQ History Month resolution prompted a longer public comment period and trustee discussion before passing 4-1. Trustee McDougall voiced repeated concerns during the LGBTQ item and recorded a no vote on that resolution.

Ending

The board filed formal minutes and the district indicated it will post adopted resolutions and related instructional resources where appropriate. The board also approved a consent agenda and multiple administrative business items during the same meeting.

Votes at a glance: a summary of the resolutions and personnel actions approved Sept. 24, 2025.","At its Sept. 24 meeting the Mount Diablo Unified Board adopted a slate of resolutions recognizing awareness months and other items and approved several personnel and administrative actions. Most measures passed unanimously; a few drew abstentions or a single dissent.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461144,"Parents, teachers press Mt. Diablo Unified board on class sizes, counselors and missing acoustic tiles",1371,725000,2096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825713-706a3d9a98a11d668b55f89c4102b7d6&start=725&end=2096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825713-706a3d9a98a11d668b55f89c4102b7d6/thumbnail_725000.jpg","/articles/6461144/California/Parents-teachers-press-Mt-Diablo-Unified-board-on-class-sizes-counselors-and-missing-acoustic-tiles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461144-583339afb767148aee06241989c019ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1777411441&Signature=bkYbrCur7YVR6iXVwswWKSLTQvkWCx1PqZhjw0sKgO4wDF2s7WpV~kC2dkiOf7xEJFdg4Kq~aIsR0ee30vvrk1AX6xtzwQdO1R-TfAWK5srbnjElr-cXWulgdk5TdqWECwRzNL8iaV7~Tg5Ue2ij5kzxOt8vxpjj27bhAnSH2eTrJMonv2GR8LHYjTWRjKyHdTmGXUzldw9NKT6VRJ8f4RmptPvOfJmotnAOWxsMTyiRkiylb-Jo2TezRvP4VwJ-tnIwfF9ot0kSmYHk8AQt8Fae3WoQaCUw7wn2FpuJh9BY-BIxIn6mPvtcdfmP1JTPgTS4as-xSFCpNJObwG0GlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A string of parents, substitutes and teachers described crowded classrooms, thin student support services and unfinished facilities work during public comment at the Mount Diablo Unified School District Board meeting Sept. 24, 2025.

Speakers said kindergarten and primary classrooms are routinely exceeding 28\u0000to\u000032 students, forcing volunteers and substitutes to shoulder much of the supervision. Substitute teacher Carolyn Bowden said she saw one kindergarten classroom where a single substitute covered 32 students and contrasted that with a transitional kindergarten class she observed with one adult for eight students.

\"What I'm saying to you is that you are putting too much of a burden on your teachers, especially in the lower grades,\" Bowden said.

Other commenters described similar scenes. Caroline Mamedi, a first-grade parent and preschool teacher, said parents often volunteer multiple times per week to manage class size. \"Our classes are also full of 32 kids to 1 teacher,\" she said. Kylie Baker, a Gregory Gardens parent, said her son's first-grade classroom had 32 students and called the setting \"chaotic.\"

Teachers and volunteers raised rates of special-education need and testing access as additional stressors. Substitute and retired dyslexia specialist Carol Watkins urged the district to speed evaluative testing for students with suspected dyslexia, saying delay imposes greater costs on children and the community.

Several speakers asked for more counselors in elementary schools and better staffing of speech-language and other specialist services. Amanda Graves, a teacher and parent, contrasted elementary counselor coverage with middle- and high-school staffing: \"My daughter's middle school has two full-time counselors. My son's high school has multiple full-time counselors. Why don't we have full-time counselors at every elementary school site?\"

Acoustics at Mount Diablo Elementary also came up repeatedly. Parent and volunteer Sarah Brickman described nine full-time classrooms that she said lack installed acoustic ceiling tiles after recent renovations. Brickman said the missing panels affect art, music and instruction in several early-grade classrooms and estimated roughly 150 students were affected in the first-to-third-grade classrooms she cited. She said the district has told parents the tiles were ordered but has provided conflicting timelines.

Union and district leaders were also in the meeting room. Linda Ortega, president of the Mount Diablo Education Association, reiterated union priorities including smaller class sizes, caseload reductions and fully paid medical benefits for educators. Many public commenters framed their remarks as appeals for the board to \"come back to the bargaining table\" and reach a settlement with teachers.

Board response: Trustees listened and thanked speakers. Several trustees said they would continue discussions with staff about school-level conditions and budget priorities. Superintendent Adam Clark and district staff later described steps taken at some sites, and staff noted the district had ordered additional materials where insufficiencies were identified.

Ending

The board did not take immediate policy action on class size, counselor ratios or acoustic repairs during the Sept. 24 meeting but acknowledged the concerns and indicated staff follow-up. Parents and union leaders said they will continue to press the district in upcoming bargaining and public forums.","Multiple parents, substitutes and teachers told the Mount Diablo Unified Board at its Sept. 24 meeting that large elementary class sizes, limited counselor coverage and missing acoustic tiles at some campuses are harming students and overburdening staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mt. Diablo Unified extends superintendent—Dr. Adam Clark—contract through 2029 amid union concerns

Votes at a glance: Mount Diablo Unified board adopts multiple October recognitions and personnel measures

Parents, teachers press Mt. Diablo Unified board on class sizes, counselors and missing acoustic tiles