Chama School District Superintendent Manuel Valdez narrowly avoided getting ousted Tuesday night after that District’s School Board cancelled with a 3-2 vote its plan to seek a new superintendent for next school year.
Immediately after the vote, which extended Valdez’s contract through the end of next school year, he announced plans to retire June 30, 2010. Valdez, who has worked for the District for 32 years and has been superintendent for 14 years, is currently under a one-year contract with a $102,000 annual salary, according to his contract.
The Board had declared after a Jan. 13 closed meeting held to evaluate Valdez that, though the evaluation was “satisfactory,” it had “reached a consensus” to not extend his contract another year, according to meeting minutes.
But as late as Tuesday afternoon, two Board members — Secretary Ernest Vigil and Vice President Silvano Atencio — described Valdez’s ouster as a done deal, while two others — member Gary Salazar and Board President Art Espinoza, who are both seeking re-election Feb. 3 — said a final decision would be made at the meeting. The Board planned to select Tuesday night one of four administrators — the District’s three principals and Assistant Superintendent Anthony Casados — to take over as interim superintendent while Valdez took paid leave for the remainder of the school year, Vigil said.
The Board’s decision came as a relief to most in a roughly 20-person audience at the meeting, who while the Board deliberated behind closed doors for an hour and a half whether to extend Valdez’s contract, recalled highlights in Valdez’s tenure as superintendent and said they were “shocked” the Board planned to get rid of him.
Salazar, who voted with Espinoza and Atencio to renew Valdez’s contract another year, said the change of plans came because the Board had “had more time to consider the benefit of the schools.” Espinoza said the Board balked at the $70,000 price tag he estimated it would cost to replace Valdez.
Board member Donald Valdez, who along with Vigil voted against keeping Manuel Valdez, said only that it is time to bring new blood to the District.
“Look at our meetings, we hardly ever get a good showing,” Donald Valdez said. “It’s because the public feels it’s the same song and dance.”