Hollister School District Superintendent Judith Barranti will
leave her post in August, and will take a lower-paying job as an
administrator in a school district on sound financial footing.
Hollister – Hollister School District Superintendent Judith Barranti will leave her post in August, and will take a lower-paying job as an administrator in a school district on sound financial footing.
Barranti said her decision to leave was unrelated to the district’s financial woes and wanted to do something different after three years with the Hollister School District. She still has two years remaining on her contract.
She was offered a position in another district, but was not actively seeking a new job. She was not asked to resign or step down from her position by the board or anyone else at the district. In fact, the board gave Barranti a “favorable” evaluation she said.
“I am very proud of my accomplishments here,” Barranti said. “It’s been wonderful, this is a great community.”
Barranti, who was hired in 2002 and earns $139,500 annually with benefits, informed board members of her decision on July 6, leaving as the district is deep in red ink and will now have to find both a superintendent and business officer. She said she was confident the board would find a suitable replacement.
It’s been a difficult year for HSD financially, and on Thursday County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley said it’s a “real possibility” that the state could take over the district if the budget doesn’t improve. Foley’s his chief financial officer recently examined the district’s budget and determined that HSD will be forced to spend $1.6 million in reserves for the 2006-2007 school year, leaving only about $300,000 left in board coffers at year’s end. With too little left over to meet state reserve requirements, Foley said he would be forced to give the district a negative certification, which could lead to state intervention.
“The cuts that have been made were too little, too late,” Foley said Thursday. “And they (the board) continue to deficit spend.”
The board solved a $1 million deficit this year by dipping into its reserves and narrowly passing a $42 million budget two weeks ago. The 3-2 vote to pass the 2005-2006 budget transferred – on paper – slightly more than $2 million dollars from a reserve fund into next year’s beginning general fund. Interim Business Director Michael Slater presented the budget, pointed out that net expenses will outpace net revenues by $1.1 million next year.
In May the district laid off two of its vice principals at Rancho San Justo and Marguerite Maze middle schools in order to save about $1 million for the district. Over the past two years the district has cut programs, raised class sizes and laid off 37 teachers.
Barranti said a plan for a balanced budget must be in place before the start of the 2006-2007 school year.
“Despite all of the progress we’ve made, there is a lot of work to do,” Barranti said. “But there is the heart and capacity to get the job done.”
Board of Trustees member Alice Flores said the board has not yet had an opportunity to meet and discuss the implications of the superintendent’s departure.
“Right now we are not headed for a state takeover if we continue to be prudent,” Flores said.
The board has not yet accepted Barranti’s resignation, but will discuss the matter at its next meeting on July 13, Board President Margie Barrios said.
Barranti’s absence may slow the budget planning process, but Barrios said it will not impede discussions. Barrios was saddened by the resignation, but said the board will continue to work on preparing a plan for a balanced budget in her absence.
“I will miss her,” Barrios said. “She’s been with us through the most difficult times the district has faced.”
Fellow board member Randal Phelps said he was concerned about Barranti’s resignation, but agreed with Barrios.
“I’m confident that we’ll find a replacement,” he said. “And we’ll absolutely balance the budget before the state takes over.”
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
