Yuma Union High School District board adopts two termination notices, tables several items

The Yuma Union High School District governing board met in a special session and took action on personnel matters, approving administrative recommendations that will lead to termination proceedings for two certificated employees and tabling several other agenda items.

A board member moved that the board "adopt the administrative recommendation to terminate the employment of Gavin Niswander, direct the superintendent to deliver the notice of intent to terminate and statement of charges to Mr. Niswander, dismiss Mr. Niswander from employment with the district upon the expiration of 10 days from the date he receives the notice of intent to terminate and statement of charges, and direct the superintendent to designate or select a hearing officer to preside over a dismissal hearing if the employee requests one." The motion was seconded and put to a roll call vote.

During the roll call the transcript records the following: when called, Shelly and Carlos were recorded as voting "aye." The transcript records that Christie stated, "I recuse myself," and also includes a separate utterance of "I abstain." The chair announced that the motion carried; the record includes the numerical phrase "2 to 0," though the sequence of recusal/abstention language in the transcript is ambiguous about how that tally was calculated. The board directed the superintendent to deliver the notice and to designate a hearing officer if requested.

Later in the meeting a board member moved that the board "adopt the administrative recommendation to terminate the appointment of Taniel Estrada, direct the superintendent to deliver the notice of intent to terminate and statement of charges to Ms. Estrada, dismiss Ms. Estrada from employment with the district upon the expiration of 10 days from the date she receives the notice of intent to terminate and statement of charges, and direct the superintendent to designate or select a hearing officer to preside over dismissal hearing if the employee requests one." That motion was seconded and carried unanimously on the recorded vote, 4-0.

The board also voted to table a series of agenda items (2.2, 2.3, 2.5 and 2.6). Each motion to table was seconded and the chair called the votes, which were recorded as carried; the meeting record notes the ayes for board members present. The board adjourned following the voting.

The actions taken direct the superintendent to issue formal notices of intent to terminate and, if requested by the employees, for the superintendent to designate a hearing officer to preside over dismissal hearings. No hearing dates, personnel files, or supporting exhibits were read into the record during the meeting. The meeting packet and board book were referenced for the full motion language.

Votes at a glance: Gavin Niswander termination motion — motion carried; roll call recorded Shelly and Carlos as voting aye, Christie recused/had an abstention recorded in the transcript, and the chair announced the motion carried (transcript shows the numerical phrase "2 to 0" alongside the spoken recusal/abstention). Taniel Estrada termination motion — passed unanimously, recorded 4-0. Items 2.2, 2.3, 2.5 and 2.6 — each tabled by voice/roll call vote as recorded.

Next steps: The superintendent is directed to deliver notices of intent to terminate and statements of charges to the employees named; if either employee requests a dismissal hearing, the superintendent is to designate a hearing officer. The transcript does not record any scheduling of those hearings or additional details about allegations or supporting evidence.