Board approves interim superintendent and several contracts; device insurance discussion sent for union meet‑and‑confer

The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District board took several personnel and contract actions on Aug. 14 while asking staff to coordinate with unions before finalizing other items.

Closed session report and appointments: The board reported in open session that it appointed Christopher Keeler as Director of Information Technology and Gilbert Barza as Executive Director TK–12; both appointments were reported as approved by a 5–0 vote during the closed‑session actions reported to the public. The board also approved two settlement agreements involving students receiving special education and related services; one settlement was approved 5–0 and another recorded as 4 yes, 1 abstention.

Interim superintendent and legal counsel: Trustees approved a contract with Dr. Douglas (Doug) Kimberly to serve as interim superintendent (effective Aug. 15–Dec. 31, 2025) at the daily rate shown in the agenda; the roll call vote was unanimous. The board also approved payment to outside counsel retained earlier to represent the board president in a court matter; trustees debated whether LCFF/general funds were appropriate for the cost but voted to pay the retained counsel (vote recorded in audio as 3 yes, 1 abstain, 1 no).

Device insurance and tech repair debate: The board considered a vendor partnership to provide technology device coverage for student devices (agenda identified vendor name). Trustees and union representatives debated fiscal sustainability—the district’s IT replacement costs were discussed as a driver of the proposal—and whether classified technicians should handle repairs. Several trustees asked staff to meet and confer with bargaining units (CSEA/SEIU) before final ratification; the board recorded its direction and a procedural motion to move the item forward pending those discussions.

Mariachi program contracts: The board considered amendments and renewal agreements with Mariachi Divas to continue and expand after‑school mariachi programs at multiple middle schools. Trustees and community members praised the program but questioned long‑term costs and urged evaluating whether the programs could eventually be incorporated into regular school‐day VAPA instruction. The board approved an amendment for last year’s expenses and a renewed contract expanding to additional sites; votes were recorded in the meeting minutes (one amendment approval recorded 3 yes, 2 abstain; the renewal 4 yes, 1 no).

Why it matters: Personnel appointments, settlement agreements and long‑term contracts can affect programs, staffing and the district’s general fund. The device‑coverage debate highlights a recurring tradeoff: protecting families from out‑of‑pocket device replacement costs while constraining district replacement spending.

What’s next: For the device coverage item, staff will meet with union representatives and return with revised terms; trustees also asked HR and finance to ensure contract renewals and settlements are aligned with budget priorities and long‑term sustainability.

Provenance: Appointments and settlements (topicintro SEG 339; topfinish SEG 386); device insurance discussion and vote direction (SEG 3710–SEG 4134); mariachi contracts (SEG 4135–SEG 4450); interim superintendent contract (SEG 6080–SEG 6096).