Santa Cruz Valley Unified board re-elects Lourdes Vasquez, names Ben Guerrero clerk; approves calendar, posting and releases employee
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Summary
The Santa Cruz Valley Unified District governing board re-elected Lourdes Vasquez as president, appointed Ben Guerrero as clerk, approved the 2026–27 meeting calendar, formal posting locations and remote participation policy, and voted to release Robert Nicholas from his 2025–26 contract with a $1,000 waiver of liquidated damages.
The Santa Cruz Valley Unified District governing board conducted several administrative actions at its regular meeting.
Elections and governance: The board moved to approve Lourdes Vasquez as board president for the upcoming term; Lourdes Vasquez accepted the nomination and the motion passed by voice vote ('Ayes have it'). The board also approved the nomination of Ben Guerrero as board clerk by voice vote.
Calendar and postings: Administration presented a proposed board meeting calendar for the 2026–27 year and emphasized avoiding dates that conflict with graduations and site activities. The board approved the calendar as presented. The board also approved official posting locations for meeting notices; administration explained they would continue to prioritize website and email posting because of low public use of the physical post office and the cost to staff for posting there.
Remote participation: The board approved an annual motion permitting board members to attend meetings by telephonic or other technological means. Administration stated the practice is an annual statutory requirement.
Personnel action: The administration recommended acceptance of Robert Nicholas’s resignation and release from his 2025–26 contract so he can return to law enforcement and recommended waiving $1,000 in liquidated damages. The board approved the release and waiver by voice vote.
Votes and outcomes: Most actions were approved by voice vote (board chair called for 'Aye' and board recorded 'Ayes have it'). No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the transcript.
What’s next: Administration will implement the calendar and posting procedures, continue to publish notice information on the district website and email lists, and proceed with personnel replacements as needed following the release of Mr. Nicholas. The board listed possible future discussion items including semester-ending schedules and a solar farm update listed as an FYI.
Quotes from the meeting:
"I accept that," Lourdes Vasquez said after being nominated for president.
On the personnel item, a motion described the action as "to release Mister Robert Nicholas from his 2025–26 contract and waive liquidated damages in the amount of $1,000." (motion text from the record.)
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
