The Tehachapi Unified School District Board of Trustees met Jan. 9 and discussed a salary range for the district superintendent during a closed session on public employment, but the board did not take a vote. Board President Kaminski said the board would consider the item again at its next meeting Tuesday.

The discussion mattered to employees and community members because of concerns about how a higher superintendent salary might affect district finances and employee pay. Val Bowman, president of the Tehachapi Association of Teachers, told the board, "we're we're wondering where that money is going to be coming from." Bowman said the district "runs at about 5% per month, for costs" and that the district had "about a 29% reserve," and urged trustees to consider the source of any salary increase.

A parent and community member who identified themself during public comment argued the process should be more open and suggested the board could report applicant statistics and agree on interview questions and grading criteria in open session. That speaker summed up the request for openness with the phrase, "Sunshine is best."

President Kaminski told the board members that Leadership Associates had sent "to each board member 83 pages of comments and input from all the stakeholder groups" about the superintendent search and that Dr. Gavasos at Leadership Associates had advised that a salary range be included in the job description. Kaminski said district legal counsel advised that the matter could be discussed in closed session but that the board could not report or vote on a final salary until Tuesday's meeting.

The meeting included a formal approval of the special-meeting agenda before public comment. Vice President Kelly moved to approve the agenda and Trustee Cooper seconded; the motion carried, 6-0. The board then adjourned to closed session at 5:07 p.m. and reconvened at 5:51 p.m. Trustee Sweeney, who was absent at the initial roll call, joined the board in closed session at about 5:15 p.m.

No formal salary decision, authorization, or contract amendment was reported or adopted at the Jan. 9 meeting. The board will consider any formal action, including a vote, at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, when trustees will be able to report votes and any final language for the superintendent job description and salary range.