Lakeport Unified School Board hires Iaccino as interim superintendent
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Unified School Board on Monday night tapped a veteran school administrator to lead them through the process of restoring equilibrium and unity to the district, and choosing a permanent superintendent.
In a 3-1 vote, the board selected Patrick Iaccino, the retired superintendent of Upper Lake Unified School District, as interim superintendent.
Iaccino, 62, retired in June 2017. He has nearly four decades of education experience, including working in Southern California and running the state’s largest continuation school before coming to Upper Lake. Last year, he ran for Lake County superintendent of schools against incumbent Brock Falkenberg, who retained his seat.
He said his wife works for a school district and his children also work in education.
During Monday’s special meeting, which ran close to four hours, the board went in and out of two closed sessions in discussing the decision.
Iaccino and Judy Luchsinger, a former county superintendent who now runs her own consulting company, were interviewed in open session, with questions posed by board members and audience members alike.
The board then went into its second and final closed session, emerging after about an hour to announce the decision to select Iaccino.
In reporting the vote, Board Secretary Phil Kirby said he, Board Chair Dan Buffalo and Board member Jennifer Hanson voted to hire Iaccino. Carly Alvord voted no, but it was reported after the meeting that her vote wasn’t a matter of not supporting Iaccino but rather wanting to pursue the option of also bringing on Luchsinger to work in tandem with Iaccino in the coming months as the district seeks a permanent lead administrator.
A decision to hire an interim chief business officer was tabled.
The decision came in the midst of a meeting that was lengthy but less contentious than the board’s meeting on Wednesday, during which it terminated the contract of Superintendent April Leiferman.
The next morning, Board member Lori Holmes, who had been the lone dissenter in the decision to fire Leiferman, tendered her resignation, as Lake County News has reported.
District staff – from administrators to certificated and classified staff – have raised concerns about more possible firings. However, on Monday night, Buffalo said they were looking to work with everyone, and that there was no intention to “clean house” and no “hit list,” such as those circulated on social media naming a number of key individuals who it’s been speculated the new board was preparing to fire.
During public comment at the start of Monday’s meeting, Steve Gentry, the retired principal of Clear Lake High School, criticized the new board for creating chaos and tension and rolling back progress, and he said they needed to listen to all groups, not just friends and family members. He also supported hiring Iaccino.
Gentry suggested the three new board members attend training through the California School Board Association to understand State Education Code. “Many of the things you're concerned about have been mandated by the state, particularly in discipline and attendance,” he said, adding they should get to know what the state won't allow.
Joe Szupello called the district's current situation “just plain embarrassing,” telling the board members they are unethical and lack morals.
He said he's already taking action to launch a recall effort, explaining that the county elections office has told him he needs 1,475 supporters and as fo 10 a.m. he had 2,400.
Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg offered advice, not criticism. “You guys have a tough decision to make here today,” adding that he hopes their decision is supported by everyone and they're able to move forward in a positive direction.
Over the last several weeks, the district's circle of leadership has grown really small, Falkenberg said. He asked them to think about their decisions and how to expand the circle of leadership, so they can come forward with a uniform, supportable process or policy.
On Monday the board also heard from several individuals and groups who said they supported all of their actions.
Those included Anita Swanson and a group of Lakeport Elementary School teachers who came forward to present a letter they said was signed by 25 different people in support of the board's actions so far. They said replacing Leiferman showed the board was responding to their concerns.
“We were once a family and we hope to one day get back to that,” Swanson said.
Jeannie Markham, who has spent her entire teaching career in the Lakeport Unified School District, backed up the comments given by Swanson. “We were family. We took care of each other,” she said, noting that died a year and a half ago. She did not refer to Leiferman by name, but that was when Leiferman was hired.
The open session of the meeting took place beginning at 4 p.m. in the new Clear Lake High School dining room, where about 100 seats were set up to accommodate community members. The dining hall provided a larger space than the board's usual meeting space at the district office on Howard Avenue.
Board members during the meeting shared their goals for what they wanted from an interim superintendent, including reviewing the team around them, forming an ad hoc committee to meet with all sites and stakeholder groups, a full review of the positive behavioral interventions and supports policy, evaluation of resources in the classroom and assistance with recruiting the permanent superintendent.
Buffalo had said during the meeting that he was looking for someone to bring unity, an ability Iaccino showed when he led the consolidation of the former Upper Lake high school and elementary school districts into the Upper Lake Unified School District.
That unification, which went into effect at the start of the 2016-17 school year, was the first district unification completed in California under the new local control funding formula, Iaccino said.
In his appearance before the board, Iaccino brought his characteristic energy, optimism and knowledge.
Buffalo asked him how to address the divisiveness and factions in the district, and how to bring everyone back together.
“Communicate, communicate, communicate,” said Iaccino.
He said the rumors need to stop, and he would address that by sitting down with all staff members. Iaccino also proposed developing a student advisory committee to have a conversation about the district. “They’re the ones who are dealing with it.”
Whatever happens moving forward, Iaccino said every board meeting should be like Monday night’s. “You’re gonna have disagreements. That’s the beauty of education. It’s what we teach our kids. It’s OK to disagree, have an opinion, stand on your two feet, express yourself. But do it the right way.”
He said the board is going to need the community’s support, along with the interim superintendent and district staff, adding, “Don't forget who this is impacting the most, and that's your kids.”
He maintained that there is a lot of talent and incredible administrators in Lake County, and he believes one of them could be the next superintendent. However, when asked on Monday if he would be interested in the position permanently, he said he would if the board wanted him to stay on.
Iaccino suggested a process be followed that is similar to what was used to hire his successor in Upper Lake, where a stakeholders committee helped vet and interview candidates. “I would encourage that process because it really solidifies what you’re doing as a community.”
In announcing the decision at the end of the night to hire Iaccino, Buffalo lauded both Iaccino and Luchsinger for their experience and what they offer.
He said the way forward is through cooperation, not persecution. “We are not free to ostracize or to retaliate or to treat others poorly,” he said, adding that the board has the back of teachers, classified staff and administration.
Buffalo also reported that Kirby and Alvord have volunteered to work with Iaccino as part of an ad hoc committee.
Iaccino said after the meeting that he has to complete a few requirements – such as going through the fingerprinting process again – before he gets to work with the district, but he expects to start soon.
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