Board approves Administrative and Communications Officer job description, board members debate optics and savings

The Amador County Unified School District board on April 16 approved a job description for a new Administrative and Communications Officer, consolidating two prior positions into a single role. Trustees were told the change reduces overall staffing in the superintendent’s office and achieves budget savings.

District staff said the consolidation reduces two positions to one and will save $104,448.13 annually, a figure the superintendent confirmed during the meeting. The new position is listed at a confidential salary level (level 41 in the district payroll schedule); the board packet described the appointment as confidential because the role handles negotiations, closed‑session materials and other work that is not part of a bargaining unit.

The vote followed extended discussion among trustees about optics and timing: some board members expressed concern the action could be perceived as adding administrative capacity while the district is facing teacher vacancies and retention challenges. The superintendent reminded the board that the February action had already laid off two district‑office employees and that the current proposal restores a single position — a net reduction of one person compared with staffing before February.

Trustees who supported the position emphasized the workload and technical skills required for communications and executive support, including agenda assembly and confidential tasks, and said competitive compensation is necessary to retain qualified candidates. Trustees also asked staff to include the confidential salary schedule or range in future materials for clarity.

The motion to approve the job description passed on a roll call vote with one trustee voting no.