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Fairfield Union Local board accepts retirements, approves hires and an administrative contract
Summary
The Fairfield Union Local Board approved multiple personnel actions including retirements and resignations, hired replacements for several positions and approved an administrative contract for a high-school assistant principal at its regular meeting.
The Fairfield Union Local Board of Education on May 1 approved several retirements and resignations, named replacements for several support and teaching positions, and approved a one-year administrative contract for Trent Johns to become assistant high school principal.
Superintendent Bellville told the board the district will honor long-serving staff members while also filling roles “so they can grow and flourish,” and recommended approval of the personnel items. Board members voted to accept the resignations and retirements and to approve the new contracts.
The board approved the retirement of Lisa Yarbrough, high school co-cashier, effective May 22, 2025. Bellville praised Yarbrough’s long service and direct connections with students, saying she “personifies” the district’s community and noting her daily interactions that many students remember. The motion to accept her retirement was moved and seconded by board members and declared approved.
The board also approved the resignation/retirement of Devon Henley, high school intervention specialist, effective January 4, 2026; and the retirement of Francie Derbyshire, head cook (effective date in the personnel motion). Superintendent Bellville and other board members described both as dedicated long-term employees whose departures will leave programmatic gaps the district must fill.
On staffing and contract approvals, the board:
- Approved a one-year administrative contract for Trent Johns as assistant high school principal beginning the 2025–26 school year; the board noted that Johns will resign his teaching contract to accept the administrative role. Trustees praised his leadership and voted to approve the contract.
- Approved a one-year teacher contract for Christine Cassidy as a third-grade teacher (graduate, master’s degree, step 16) beginning 2025–26.
- Approved a two-year support service contract for Nicole Hobson as head cook (salary schedule R1, step 4) beginning 2025–26 and concurrently accepted the resignation of the prior cook assigned to that role.
- Approved a one-year support service contract for Jason Chase as assistant maintenance employee (salary schedule J1, step 10) with evening maintenance duties at Bremen Elementary.
- Approved a one-year support service contract for Caitlin Newell as an aide (salary schedule 1, step 10) at Rushville/Bramble School.
- Approved a leave‑without‑pay request for a bus driver, as described in the personnel motion, to honor a prearranged vacation paid before employment.
Board members spoke in tribute to departing staff during the agenda discussion and publicly thanked them. Several motions were presented, seconded, and approved by vote; the board recorded motions as passed in open session.
The board also moved into executive session later in the meeting to discuss the employment of individuals under the authority cited on the agenda and subsequently adjourned from executive session with no additional public action announced at that time.
Ending: The district indicated it will honor retirees later in the year and proceed with hiring and administrative transitions over the coming weeks.
