The Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education is set to vote Monday, Feb. 27 on the contract of SFPS Superintendent Bobbie Gutierrez.
The agenda for a study session scheduled for Monday at 6 pm and distributed today lists an action item on "Superintendent's Contract."
"They're going to take action on the Superintendent's contract," says SFPS Executive Secretary Lillian Letters.
"They can choose to either continue it as it is, or they can choose to—I believe they would have to buy her out. I'm not positive but I think that's what would happen, because her contract isn't [over] until the end of next year."
BoE member Steve Carrillo declines to comment, but BoE Vice President Glenn Wikle says that he will "vote on a modification to her contract."Gutierrez' leadership has come under fire over the past year as standardized test scores throughout the district, as well as graduation rates, have declined. Numerous SFPS teachers and staff who have spoken to SFR on condition of anonymity, as well as through memos circulated around the BoE, allege a culture of retaliation against staff. There has been tension between Gutierrez and two of the three new board members, Wikle and Carrillo. Though BoE Secretary Linda Trujillo came onto the board a year ago, at the same time as Wikle and Carrillo, she has not been critical of Gutierrez.
Although the meeting itself begins at 6, the board will discuss Gutierrez' contract in a closed executive session at 8 pm. A separate press release distributed by SFPS announces that the public meeting will resume after the executive session, but Letters says there's no estimated time for that to begin.
The Board needs to implement the "Turnaround Model." It didn't work at Ramirez Thomas, maybe it'll work at 610. The "Turnaround Model" is where you get rid of all administrators and have them reapply for their jobs after proof of effectiveness. There has not been a good decision from 610 in years. Teachers are no more to blame for the downfall of Public Schools than are administrators and parents, yet teachers take the brunt of the consequences. Thank you to the two board members who have tirelessly worked to get rid of the superintendent. I don't think she should be paid a dime. The last minute change in her contract was made just before the new board members took their seats. The community spoke loudly at the last school board election. Unfortunately, Ms. Trujillo ran unopposed, though originally there was a viable candidate who wanted to run for the seat, but mysteriously left the race. If he had run, he too would have been elected in a landslide and the Superintendent would be a lingering bad smell by now. I hope the school board will appoint an interim superintendent who really has the qualifications to turn this district around and create a climate of REAL collaboration. The teachers are a group of remarkably talented people in this district and I know that we could have a world-class district here, if they were allowed to implement their creative ideas. If teachers could speak up without fear of retaliation, ie, bad evaluations or even termination, many of the problems could be solved, or greatly reduced. They are, after all in the trenches. The failure of 610 to implement and enforce their own policies such as the code of conduct, the collective bargaining agreement, the truancy laws is as much to blame for the sorry condition of this district as anything. Oh...and the name of the district should be changed to Santa Fe Pearson Schools--this multimillion dollar expenditure meant to put every student on the same page at the same time in the mediocre (at best) textbooks, and other requirements for which we do not have the technology to implement--Pearson, the program that a teacher cannot get National Board Certification if h/she is mandated to follow the Pearson Code--I am reminded by Jerry Orbach of Law and Order and request that someone "check the financials" of the superintendent before considering a payoff to get rid of her.
To be sure, the illustrious Ms. Gutirrez faces a less than pleasant Monday evening get together with the Board. Outcomes available: her contract is "bought out" her contract is "amended." Either way the superintendent will be the center of yet another embarassing public spectacle. The two brave Board members, Mr. Wikle and Mr. Carillo, mentioned in your comment, will likely propose the latter option. It will not pass, because Ms. Trujillo will not rise to the occasion and do what her constiuents elected her to do.
Sadly, SFPS will continue to decline.
Students will continue to fail, due to low expectations and lack of leadership from 610. SFPS' employees and teachers will continue to live in fear of "Bobbie and the Girls." Some teachers will leave; others will count the days until they are able to leave.
A stunning example of the climate within SFPS has been quietly playing out over the past few weeks. One of the associate superintendents is moving. Abandoning the traditional office of an associate superintendent, a large suite at 610, Denise Johnston has instead opted for a smaller, darker back office at BF Young, a 1950's style hovel on Sierra Vista. Apparently, the physical proximity to Ms. Guiterrez is just too close for Ms. Johnston. Conventional wisdom suggests Ms. Johnston wants to hang around the district long after Ms. Guiterrez is just a bad memory. The district, no doubt, has some reasonable explanation for the move; however, those who have watched the neverending district drama know the politcs involved here.
This community's reality is another year and a half of shamless power plays, disgraceful dishonesty, and most importantly, student failure.
Ms. Guiterrez's pathological character flaw leads her to place personal power and her financial bottom line over the needs of an entire community. This same community will be forced to sit impotently by and watch more of this painful horror show produced, directed and starring Ms. Guiterrez and her side-kicks for another 15 months.
It is too bad the Board vote could not wait until after the results of a "climate survey" are published. The results are likely to shed even more light on what is already widely know throughout the district.
Employees have seen and felt enough intimidation and lies. They are ready to move on and can't, because Bobbie and the Girls are entrenched and unwilling to give up their power and ever-climbing retirement benefits.
So, be ready Santa Fe. You will be treated to many more news articles and revelations for some time to come. One wonders though: who will inherit the mess these people leave behind, and how long will it take to put this district on a track to success?
the best money the district could spend now is to buy out bobbi and start fixing the districtbut be careful you don't bjust replace her with another clown.