Here’s one way around the job search trouble that Sweetwater Superintendent Jesus Gandara seems to have gotten into: Just change the rules.
Gandara faced questions last year about whether he had properly notified the Sweetwater Union High School District board that he had been apparently seeking a job in Austin. (The Chula Vista Star News did some strong reporting on this.) His contract requires him to notify the school board if he looks for a job or is asked about one — and to tell the school board president in writing if he goes for an interview. That didn’t happen, the Star News reported.
Now Sweetwater’s attorney is recommending that the school district scrap that section of Gandara’s employment agreement. That would leave the superintendent free to scout for other jobs in the future without the uncomfortable business of letting the school board know about it. It is unclear from the proposal whether Gandara would still face any questions about his past flirtation with Austin.
The Sweetwater board will look at the issue tonight.
— EMILY ALPERT