Palmdale board approves superintendent contract, stipend increase and multiple MOUs; denies closed-session complaint appeals

The Palmdale School District Board of Trustees voted on Jan. 21 to approve several personnel and partnership actions, including the superintendent's employment contract and a district resolution adopting a board-member stipend increase pursuant to AB 1390.

Public commenter Michael Oak criticized the stipend increase during the public comment period, saying the "proposed increase is 400%" and urging the trustees to consider impacts on CSEA Palmdale chapter 296 employees. Oak addressed the board before the vote on the stipend increase; the board subsequently approved the resolution (motion passed, recorded as 4 in favor, 1 absent).

At the regular meeting the board approved multiple memoranda of understanding and service agreements. Those included an MOU with AV Alta FC to provide stadium visits and district-night programming, a ratification with the Los Angeles County Office of Education for a school site to participate in a LACOE initiative, placement agreements with the University of California, Merced and Pacific Oaks College for student-teacher internships, and several educational-service contracts for digital resources and professional development. Most motions were announced as passing with four trustees voting in favor and one absent.

The board also reported out of closed session that, on a motion by Anthony Hunt seconded by Sharon Vega, it denied a formal complaint appeal (filed Oct. 3, 2025) related to findings of an investigation; trustees Simone Zulujol, Anthony Hunt, Sharon Vega and Nancy Smith were recorded as voting yes on that motion. Separately, the board accepted a settlement agreement in an Office of Administrative Hearings matter (OAH 2025-100609), and it approved the resignation of an employee effective Dec. 19, 2025 as part of closed-session actions.

Superintendent (speaking to the board after the contract approval) thanked trustees for their confidence and said he looks forward to continuing district work: "I want to take the time to thank the board for your confidence in me and continuing to head the Palmdale School District and the Palmdale Promise," he said.

What passed and funding notes - Stipend increase (AB 1390): motion passed (4-0, 1 absent); public comment raised equity concerns for CSEA members. - Superintendent employment contract: motion passed (4-0, 1 absent); board thanked superintendent for leadership. - AV Alta FC MOU: effective 01/21/2026'12/31/2027; no cost to district declared. - UC Merced student-teaching MOU: effective 01/21/2026'06/30/2029; no cost to district declared. - Pacific Oaks internship MOU: effective 01/21/2026'01/20/2031; no cost to district declared. - Epic Kids digital library contract: $9,600; Innovations Academy funding. - Learn Genie contract (education services): $27,847; funding source noted in discussion. - Care Solace (EHR for CYBHI grant): $27,802; funded by CYBHI grant. - Beth Ballinger O.D. (vision therapy for special ed): $1,980; funded by special education funds.

The board indicated multiple other consent items and MOUs were approved as part of the consent calendar or during action items; most passed with a recorded tally of "4, 1 absent." The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:40 p.m.

The board provided no timetable in the minutes for implementation of the stipend change beyond citing AB 1390. The closed-session denial of complaint appeals and acceptance of the OAH settlement were reported as formal actions with named yes votes on the complaint denial motion.