Board approves four administrators' contract amendments despite public protest

The Natomas Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to approve amendments extending the employment agreements and updating the salary schedules for four district leaders — Angela Herrera, Tanya Jerrell, Doug Orr and Christina Huth — through June 30, 2028.

Board President called for the vote after public comment and trustee discussion. The motion to approve the amendments passed, with Trustees Dasek, Grant and Mehta voting aye and Trustee Mora voting no. The president read the summary required by Government Code noting the contract-term extensions and that title alignment and salary steps were being moved to a publicly available schedule under AB 1997.

Several public commenters had urged the board to split the item so each contract could be considered individually. Trustee Mora moved to divide the action but lacked a second. In advance of the vote, public speakers criticized the timing and scope of the renewals; Jen Souza told the board the decisions would have "lasting consequences for your seats" and said parents and teachers opposed extending administrators under current conditions.

Superintendent Castillo and staff described the changes as title alignments and a transparency measure tied to recently enacted state rules requiring public salary schedules. Castillo said the changes "are not promotions" but rather updates so the publicly posted salary schedules reflect existing responsibilities. The board president added that the amendments included no other changes beyond term extensions and alignment to the posted schedules.

The vote completes the formal approvals; trustees did not adopt separate motions for each contract. The board adjourned at 7:27 p.m.