Richland board approves external superintendent search after 3-2 split as teachers urge internal pick

The Richland School District Governing Board voted 3-2 on Feb. 11 to contract Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) to run an external search for a new superintendent, despite vocal support from teachers for appointing Assistant Superintendent Annette Blacklock.

Trustee Tony Aguirre, Trustee Cain Maldonado and Trustee Deanna Rodriguez-Root voted to begin the search; Trustees Tammy Criswell and Melissa DeWitt dissented. Trustee Aguirre said not proceeding with a search "would be neglecting his due diligence," and KCSOS representative Cherie Payne told the board the service includes advertising, screening to board-defined qualifications and narrowing candidates to three to five finalists for a $5,000 fee. Payne said KCSOS "does not participate in interviews, and the final hiring decision remains with the Board." (SEG 002)

Teachers and union leaders spoke at the meeting urging an internal hire. Several classroom teachers addressed the board in support of Blacklock, and RTA President Felicia Martinez offered the association's "vote of confidence" in the assistant superintendent. Trustee DeWitt argued for promoting from within, saying external hires "often lack long-term commitment and may leave within one to two years," and highlighted Blacklock's district experience and investment in "The Richland Way." (SEG 003)

Trustee Rodriguez-Root said she respects Blacklock but wanted to ensure the district considered all options, noting former students who now hold doctorates had expressed interest in the post. After signing the KCSOS contract at the meeting, President Aguirre said the job posting could be live as soon as the following week. (SEG 003)

The board's action was procedural: the contract was executed to begin a public recruitment process; no appointment to the superintendent position was made at the meeting.