Amador County Unified board authorizes district and county short-term borrowing, adopts policies and backs adult education week

The Amador County Unified School District board met April 22 and approved a series of finance, personnel and program actions intended to manage short-term cash flow, update district policy and expand services.

Mr. Norton, addressing both the county office and district agendas, described resolutions authorizing participation in the California Schools Cash Reserve Program and the issuance of tax revenue anticipation notes (TRANs) to bridge predictable timing gaps in property-tax receipts. For the county office the board authorized a maximum borrowing limit of $1.5 million; for the district the board approved a separate authorization limit of $7 million, a ceiling Mr. Norton said ‘‘does not obligate the district to pursue a TRAN or to execute one for the full amount’’ and that the actual amount would be set after finalizing the 2026–27 budget. Norton noted last year’s effective borrowing costs were lower than the headline rate, and that interest earnings on invested cash often offset issuance costs.

The board adopted several board policy updates (5000/6000 series) following prior review, and accepted a first reading on proposed graduation-requirements changes that administrators said will return for final adoption at a subsequent meeting. Trustees also approved a consent agenda that included warrants and personnel items; among the personnel actions the board confirmed Alex Divera as principal of Jackson Elementary and Jessica Mccardi as vice principal at Amador High School.

Diana Griffin, principal of Amador Adult Education, presented a resolution recognizing Adult Education Week (April 19–25). The board approved the resolution to highlight adult-education offerings—English language, GED/high-school-equivalency, medical courses and job-preparation programs—and to urge state recognition and greater access to those programs.

The board approved an administrative motion to begin negotiating a limited easement with property owner Stacy Casease to allow driveway access across a small, unused corner of district hillside property; administration clarified the easement would be a use-right only, require utility and soil surveys, and return to the board for final approval and any agreed compensation.

Trustees also approved participation in the High Road School Nurse Residency Project, a two-year, state-funded initiative designed to expand the pool of credentialed school nurses. Administration said two district nurses who are already working in schools will be eligible to apply; the program does not directly change district finances but requires coordination with labor partners.

On labor relations, the board and representatives of the Amador County Teachers Association exchanged published ‘‘sunshine’’ proposals that outline each party’s interests for 2026–27 bargaining. Jeannie Jensen, ACT president, told the board the union had reached a tentative salary agreement and will proceed with ratification steps with membership.

Public comment included Patricia Anja, treasurer of the nonprofit Amador’s Heart of Gold, who told the board of a local childhood cancer diagnosis and community efforts to support families, including a 'Brave Like Kendall' page and upcoming blanket-making activities at a community event.

A ceremonial highlight of the meeting was a flag-folding presentation by American Legion Post 108, introduced by Bob Benia, judge advocate of the post, who explained the fold symbolism and presented backup flags for nine schools.

A scheduled presentation about the district’s Washington, D.C., advocacy trip was tabled after a main presentation computer failed; the board agreed to reschedule the item for the May 13 meeting so absent trustee Kayla Parker could attend and so videos and slides can be displayed. Superintendent Critchfield reported on recent advocacy in Sacramento, saying county superintendents urged that proposed maneuvers to defer Prop 98 funding not be enacted and that sustained community-school funding is needed for programs such as wellness centers and family-resource services.

The board adjourned the public portion of the meeting to return to closed session on pending matters; the district noted two rejected liability claims handled during the closed session.