In disagreement with San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools Troy Brown, the Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees did not acknowledge former Superintendent John Ramirez Jr.’s “superintendent emeritus” position as one of employment.

“It is disappointing that the SUSD Governing Board refuses to accept that it violated the Brown Act,” Brown said in a statement. “The board ultimately approved (to) continue to refer to the Ramirez agreement as a resignation agreement only. The agreement is clearly also an employment agreement.”

At the Sept. 13 Stockton Unified Board of Trustees meeting, the board voted 5-2 — Trustees Maria Mendez and AngelAnn Flores voted no — in open session to “reaffirm” Ramirez’s separation agreement with SUSD. The agreement states, “Ramirez’s employment as Superintendent Emeritus,” for him to serve and report directly to the board, provide transition assistance and have duties assigned by the board president with full salary of $285,000 plus benefits for one year.

Stockton Unified attorney Dr. Jack Lipton reiterated that Ramirez’s separation agreement was not one of employment. He said there has been no transition work between SUSD and Ramirez.

“Setting aside these missteps, my August 31, 2022, letter to the SUSD Governing Board on this matter substantially accomplished the primary goal of ensuring the public’s business is conducted in public,” Brown said in a Sept. 15 statement. “It is important that the SUSD Governing Board seek...

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