Azusa schools chief announces resignation

[tribune]

www.sgvtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,205~12220~2639561,00.html

Superintendent Rod Gaeta announced his immediate resignation. He has worked for the Azusa School District for 21 years.

[Concerned about the schools]

I have recently heard that Rod Gaeta is asking for full benefits even though his contract does not offer this. I also heard that he is asking to hand pick his replacement. There are members on the trusees that agree with this.

There is a closed school board trustee meeting tonight at 6pm, according to the Tribune.

I wonder why Rod is leaving so quickly.

I don't feel that the school board should give Rod more than his contract requires. If the schools are so flush with cash, they should be using that money to improve the quality of the education of the schools.

As for allowing him to hand pick the next superintendent, I feel that it would be more professional for the district to go through a regular hiring process, to locate the best possible person to replace him.

What do you think. If this concerns you as well, you can call the School Board and express your opinion. There phone number is below.

Azusa School District:
546 S Citrus Ave
Call: 626-858-6154

[Information]

Don't Allow Rod Gaeta to Resign With Full Retirement

Rod Gaeta has resigned. However, he is requesting that he handpick his successor and that the school board give him a fully paid retirement package (even though he essentially resigned from his position). There are currently three board members who are willing to go along with his shenanigans; and two who are opposing this. When you resign you don’t get a full retirement package, unless it is so stated in your Memorandum or Understanding (MOU). Which I don not think is the case.



If he had left Azusa schools with a stellar rating, that might be something to take into consideration. But, let face it, Azusa schools are severely lacking.



Please call, email, write letters to the Azusa school board and ask them not to endorse a package that includes full retirement benefits from an employee who has resigned his position.



In addition, ask them not to approve the superintendent hand picking his successor. Instead, they should hire a headhunter to find qualified candidates to fill the superintendent, or at least, do a search.



The city is experiencing dynamic growth and improvement. We need to ensure that who ever replaces Gaeta is highly qualified and has the credentials and track record to help move the Azusa Unified School District (AUSD) forward. We all know that a strong educational system is important for our children and our city. Thank you in advance for your support.



Below is the contact information:



Azusa Unified School District Board of Education

Rosemary Garcia, President
[e-mail]

Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez, Vice-President
[e-mail]
or call [phone]

Lisa Harrington, Clerk
[e-mail]

Burke Hamilton, Member
[e-mail]

Ilean M. Ochoa, Member
[e-mail]

School District Phone Number: 626-858-6154

Thanks,

Maricela Cueva

[Mark]

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Azusa Unified School District will be held January 18, 5:30 p.m., at Slauson Middle School. Residents who are interested may attend. Thank you!

[another article in the trib]

Gaeta seeks to extend benefits
www.sgvtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,205~12220~2654728,00.html

The article does not mention the hand picking of a new person. I wonder where that stands right now?

[address]

The address for Slauson Middle School is 340 W. 5th Street. So you would go South on Azusa and make a right on 5th Street. The school is on the left. The school meeting is tonight at 5:30pm.