Supporters of San Leandro Unified School District Superintendent Christine Lim say that the school board fired Lim December 15 in closed meeting but did not announce their move until January 5, a violation of California’s open government laws. The Brown Act requires prompt disclosure of actions taken in closed sessions. -DB
January 14, 2010
By Jason Sweeney
SAN LEANDRO — “In the Chinese culture, beginnings and endings are important,” Superintendent Christine Lim said before a crowd of supporters at her last board meeting as chief of San Leandro schools.
Lim listed a long tally of her accomplishments and awards, as well as six positive job evaluations during her 61/2-year tenure as superintendent of the San Leandro Unified School District.
The school board voted on Dec. 15 in closed session to terminate Lim’s contract. Her last day on the job officially is Sunday, although she will be paid through June 30. Assistant Superintendent Cindy Cathey has been appointed as Lim’s replacement during the search for a new superintendent.
About a dozen of Lim’s supporters — both parents and teachers — were at Tuesday’s school board meeting to voice their disapproval with the termination just six months before Lim’s contract was set to expire.
Because Lim’s termination was not announced until Jan. 5, some speakers said the delay was a violation of the board’s bylaws and the Brown Act, the state’s open meetings law.
Board President Katz-Lacabe said the delay was so that Lim could be given notice before the public learned of the decision.
“We’ve satisfied our obligations under the Brown Act,” he said. “I’m confident of our actions in that regard. Obviously, there are a lot of people that feel very passionately about her. During her time here, she made some very much needed structural changes to the district.”
The teachers association supported the 2008 campaigns of trustees Morgan Mack-Rose and Hermy Almonte, who voted with Katz-Lacabe and trustee Diana Prola to terminate Lim’s contract. Carmen Sullivan, Pauline Cutter and Lisa Hague voted against.
Parent Elton Jefferson said he intends to file a petition with the county clerk to recall the four trustees who voted to oust Lim.
“This woman has done so much for our district,” Jefferson said Wednesday. “Scores have increased. She’s building a relationship in the community and making sure everybody has a voice about their kids. We love the work that she has done. We need people in office that are for the people and the students, and not just the union.”
Teachers association President Jon Sherr said it hasn’t been a secret that the union has had substantive disagreements with Lim, primarily over her management style.
“We didn’t think she was collaborative with teachers, parents and other groups,” Sherr said. “But we do wish her well and success in her next endeavor.”
Cutter and Sullivan said they both voted against the termination because of the timing.
Sullivan said that she noticed a positive change in the district as soon as Lim was hired.
“As a parent and a minority, I felt very free to walk into the district office and talk with superintendent,” she said, adding that she didn’t feel that way before Lim was hired. “At this point, we really need stability. I’m very hopeful and confident that we can move forward and pick up the pieces.”
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