District 2 Councilman Robert Scattini has resigned from his elected role following the Hollister School District’s decision to raise rent on a home from which he lives and oversaw Calaveras School security for 25 years.
Scattini officially resigned Wednesday and attributed the decision to his pending move to another home – in District 3 – which he already owns. Scattini in an interview with the Free Lance said he plans to move this coming weekend to his property in District 3, where he intends to run for an open council seat in November.
Although the school district expressed intent to raise his rent from $450 to $1,750 monthly – as part of the agreement, he has watched over the campus – Scattini said his resignation is due to a desire to run in District 3 instead of District 2. He filed candidacy papers this week to run in his new district.
“Not really,” he said of the school district’s decision. “I have to be in this district to run in 3.”
Hollister School District Superintendent Gary McIntire could not be reached immediately for comment on this story.
Scattini claimed there is no known competition for the District 3 seat, while several people are showing interest for the District 2 seat. He said he “tried everything” to stay on the council through the election, but noted that state law requires people to resign if they move from their elected districts.
He also indicated that the school district plans to hire a security company for the school, though plans for the house are unclear, and he underscored that the campus was safe the past 26 years.
Scattini has paid $450 plus utilities and assessed taxes. He said the district has increased his rent through the years, but he did pay the same rent in 2007 when the Free Lance did a story on the arrangement. According to the deal, he had been assigned to two patrol inspections during school days and four on non-school days.
City Clerk Geri Johnson could not be reached immediately to confirm who has filed papers to run for open council seats. Council members Monday are scheduled to discuss the resignation and give direction to staff.
