Incoming Paso Robles School District board sworn in
Incoming trustees Chris Arend, Stephanie Ulibarri and Lance Gannon were sworn in at the district office. They join Tim Gearhart, who was the only incumbent reelected.
New board will face challenges
–The Paso Robles School District swore in three new trustees and one incumbent who was reelected at their Tuesday meeting. Incoming trustees Chris Arend, Stephanie Ulibarri and Lance Gannon were sworn in at the district office. They join Tim Gearhart, who was the only incumbent reelected. The board thanked trustees Matt McCLish, Dr. Kathleen Hall and Field Gibson for their service. Only Field Gibson was present to receive a plaque, but Matt McClish stopped by during the meeting.
The new board elected Joel Peterson President of the Board of Trustees, and Stephanie Ulibarri, Clerk.
Chief Business Officer Brad Pawlowski presented the 1st interim report for the 2018-2019 fiscal school year. It included current and projected revenues and expenditures for this and the next two fiscal years. It projected the district’s reserve at the end of this fiscal year to be $1,363,050 or 1.78% of the annual operating budget. In the next fiscal year, 2019-2020, the reserve drops to $782,363 or 0.99%. For the following fiscal year, 2020-2021, if the district operates at its current levels, the reserve will drop to $-631,804 or -0.78%.
Upon the county’s request, the school district must identify over $2 million in budget cuts to avoid the future deficit. This could include future teacher layoffs.
The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the interim report as Qualified Certification. The board must cut expenses in order to bring the reserve fund into a positive balance. County Office of Education Fiscal Advisor Diana Larson said two other districts are in the same Qualified Certification status.
The board rejected on a 6-1 vote a proposal to eliminate school board members’ health and welfare benefits. Trustee Joan Sommers cast the loan dissenting vote. She was the one who requested the item be placed on the agenda.
The district will look to appoint an interim superintendent after Chris Williams’ sudden resignation. San Luis Obispo County Superintendent Jim Brescia ran the meeting until the board elected Joel Peterson as President. Brescia says he will attend the next meeting as well. Asked about the $250,000 settlement the previous board awarded Chris Williams as part of his resignation, Brescia said the County Fiscal Advisor will review that agreement.
Superintendent Chris Williams did not attend the meeting.
Comments
