The Stockton Unified School District says the Board of Trustees did not violate the Brown Act when granting former superintendent John Ramirez Jr. full salary and benefits in closed session because he is not an employee, despite placing him “on leave” last month when he was arrested on DUI charges.
It turns out “on leave” is a flexible term at SUSD.
“It is a standard cautionary process in such situations, but not directly applicable in this case,” Dr. Jack Lipton, a Stockton Unified attorney said in a statement.
The board is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Arthur Coleman Administrative Complex to reaffirm their decision.
Ramirez was placed “on leave” from his superintendent emeritus role after he was arrested Aug. 25 for driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of .225%. Upon news of his arrest, Stockton Unified released a statement saying Ramirez is no longer working in a capacity as superintendent, has no contact with students or employees and is no longer on any school sites. The district did not answer any additional questions on his employment status.
Ramirez resigned June 9 after just more than a year as superintendent, citing he needed to care for his elderly parents. Less than a month after his departure, the San Joaquin County Grand Jury released a scathing report showing financial mismanagement, poor business practices and a lack of transparency at Stockton Unified.
The way Ramirez’s separation agreement was reached was the...
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