Paul Kaminski chosen as Interim Superintendent

After closed session deliberations, following the nearly three and a half hour May 8 School Board meeting, the Tehachapi School Board unanimously chose JMS Principal Paul Kaminski to serve as the Interim Superintendent for the District.

The Board listened to presentations from three search organizations that specialize in locating school superintendent candidates, but were unable to make a clear choice at that time, nor could they agree on whether to start the search immediately or wait for a more opportune time. One of the presenters, Cherie Payne from the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, suggested that the ideal time to start a search is February with a planned start date of July. The other two firms admitted that May was not an ideal start time but thought they might be able to find a superintendent by September. By choosing Kaminski to run the district, the Board now has "breathing room" to choose the best search provider for the district's needs.

The first presentation was given by Cherie Payne, Director of Human Resources for KSOS. The other two firms made their presentations by phone, as neither was available at meeting time. Juan Lopez from Dave Long and Associates, and Mr. Johnson from McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, both had impressive PowerPoint presentations. It was decided to continue the discussion at the May 30 Special Board Meeting.

The Board approved the tentative agreements with both TAT and CSEA, the teachers union and the classified employees union. Personnel Director Tim Beard commented on what a pleasure it was working with both units during negotiations and thanked them all. He added that there is an ongoing dialogue with both groups. TAT representative Daniel Moon told the Board that he also found the negotiations a positive experience.

Steve Bsharah, Principal of the Tehachapi Education Center, gave an update for the complex that includes Monroe High School, TILA (Tehachapi Independent Learning Academy), Tehachapi Adult School and Cerro Coso Communty College. Brittany McCalman, who operated the TALL program for special needs students through a workability grant, introduced two of her students who are receiving paid work experience in the community. The new welding program taught by Jeremy Staat is full with a waiting list.