State: Salinas school emergency trusteeship first in California caused by board turmoil

The immediate appointment of a trustee to oversee the Alisal Union School District marks the first time leadership issues forced the state's hand, Board of Education spokeswoman Regina Brown Wilson said. The Alisal Union School District, which has been plagued by low student test scores for years, learned March 11 that it would fall under state trusteeship. It appears that the "things that need to happen," however, will remain largely in the hands of the district's staff, existing board and new superintendent. On Wednesday, new superintendent John Ramirez, said he will be working closely with county curriculum experts, the board, principals, staff and the community to develop recommendations for the permanent trustee, whom arrives in May. Until then, temporary trustee Nancy Kotowski has been appointed to affect a smooth transition; her office has an existing relationship with the district.

[posted by Andrew Brown]

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