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Board to consider six‑month interim superintendent contract amid turnover concerns
Summary
President Brugger recommended a six‑month extension for interim superintendent Janelle Ayatt while the board considers conducting an in‑house search; public commenters urged the board to address high superintendent turnover and district culture.
President Brugger told the board she will ask members at the next meeting to consider voting on a contract for Janelle Ayatt to serve as interim superintendent from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, and proposed conducting the superintendent search in‑house instead of hiring an outside firm.
Trustees said they did not want to rush a search and discussed a timeline that could begin in December or January to allow a deliberate process. Trustee comments emphasized the need to support Ayatt in her personnel duties and to consider whether an external search is necessary if the interim appointment proves successful.
Public commenter Craig Lazaretti urged the board to examine why the district has had multiple superintendents in recent years, saying, "The school district is now on its fifth superintendent in the past six years" and urging the board to investigate causes of turnover and whether district culture undermines outside candidates. Lazaretti also referenced a prior severance payment to a previous superintendent.
Board members expressed support for giving a six‑month window to allow continuity and a more deliberate search. The item will be returned to the board agenda; no final vote on a contract was taken at this meeting.
Next steps: The president will place a proposed interim contract on the next meeting agenda for board consideration and trustees signaled interest in reviewing an in‑house search plan and possible timelines.
