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Benicia Unified approves two assistant superintendent hires and extends CBO contract
Summary
The board voted to appoint two assistant superintendents — one for educational services and one for human resources — and extended the chief business official's contract, amid staff concerns about simultaneous classified reductions.
The Benicia Unified School District board on Thursday approved the appointments of two assistant superintendents and updated the contract term for the district’s chief business official.
Katherine Aosta Verrascus was approved as assistant superintendent of educational services after the superintendent detailed a multi‑stage recruitment process and presented the candidate’s background as a site principal with experience in special education and student services. The board completed the required oral summary of the proposed contract, which listed salary and benefits in the agenda packet; the board then voted to confirm the appointment. Aosta Verrascus thanked the board and introduced family members in the audience.
The board also approved the appointment of Lindsay Wisley as assistant superintendent of human resources. District staff reported a competitive process that included multiple interview rounds and reference checks; the board again read the contract summary on the public record before voting to approve the appointment. Wisley spoke to the board after the vote and introduced family members.
Separately, trustees approved an updated contract term for Trudy Bington, the district’s chief business official, extending the agreement through June 30, 2029. Staff said there was no change to compensation in the update beyond the extended term.
The approvals prompted public comment and questions from trustees about timing and optics: several classified positions and hours reductions had recently been adopted as part of the district’s budget reductions, and an employee who spoke during public comment said it felt “disheartening” to see classified cuts while administrator hires moved forward. Trustees and the superintendent said they would continue to pursue a priorities framework and a budget study session to guide future staffing and reinstatement decisions.
The board’s actions followed typical open‑meeting requirements; each administrative appointment was announced with the summary required under Government Code section 54953 before the roll call votes. The board is scheduled to reconvene on May 21 for continued business and a follow‑up on some items that were postponed to allow further review.
