Blue Ridge Unified board approves new hires and 2025-26 teacher contracts, schedules teacher-retention work session; recognizes students and staff

The Blue Ridge Unified School District No. 32 governing board voted to approve several new hires and ratified teacher and counselor contracts for the 2025–26 school year, scheduled a public work study on teacher retention for April 22 and recognized students and staff during its regular meeting.

Board members unanimously approved the consent agenda and separate motions to hire new employees and to adopt the teacher and counselor contracts for 2025–26. Board members also set a public work study session on teacher retention for April 22 at approximately 5 p.m. in the district boardroom.

Why it matters: the actions come as the district undergoes multiple personnel transitions, including appointments to central-office and operations posts and forthcoming principal hiring decisions for the junior high and high school. The board’s move to hold a public work session on retention signals an administrative focus on staffing stability ahead of the next school year.

Most important actions and votes

- Consent agenda (items 2.1–2.4): motion to approve was made and seconded; the board voted in favor by voice vote.

- Approval of new hires: the board approved hiring Holly Brown, Bella Scott, Salvador Chavez and Alicia Ramirez (these individuals were listed as hires; none were present). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Approval of teacher and counselor contracts for the 2025–26 school year (item 3.2): motion by a board member, seconded; approved by voice vote.

- Schedule work study on teacher retention (April 22): motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote. District staff proposed a 5:00 p.m. start to accommodate community attendance; board noted 5:30 p.m. could also work and said staff would finalize the time.

Personnel announcements and timeline

- Justin Bernardino was named transportation supervisor and will also oversee the maintenance shop and mechanics.

- Mike Bosley will become maintenance supervisor following the retirement of Steve Murphy; Murphy’s retirement date was announced as July 30, 2025.

- Courtney Hoffmeier (also spelled Hoffmeier in meeting remarks) accepted the business manager position and will begin training with current staff; she was scheduled to start June 1 and will receive training from Kimberly (staffer). Kimberly will continue to support the transition in a consulting role.

- Interviews for junior high and high school principal positions were scheduled for March 29; the district expects a recommendation in early April. District staff said internal applicants have the option to apply but would need to pick one position if applying for multiple openings.

- A districtwide safety training led by Jesus Veer Ramos was scheduled for April 4 at a local church facility provided to the district at no charge; staff noted the training conflicts with a scheduled track meet and said employees who are already trained may support the meet instead.

Recognitions presented

- Students of the month: Kyler Watson (first grade, Blue Ridge Elementary), Erwin (spelled Erwen/Erwin in the transcript) Alake (junior high) and Owen Larson (high school) were recognized.

- Teachers of the month: Kaley Espinosa (elementary; absent and to be celebrated with her kindergarten class) and Mr. Van Atten (junior high, eighth-grade science teacher) were recognized.

Next steps and meeting logistics

- The board announced its next regular meeting for April 8 at the same location and invited the public to stay after that meeting to meet the new superintendent. The board also encouraged the public and staff to attend the April 22 work study on teacher retention.

- A public comment period was offered; no substantive public comments affecting agenda items were recorded.

Notes on voting and recordkeeping: votes were recorded as voice votes with motions and seconders announced for several items (movers and seconders named in the transcript where available). The meeting record does not include roll-call tallies by individual board member name for the motions recorded in the transcript excerpt.