Rio Linda Online has information from two Twin Rivers Unified School District sources that say embattled Deputy Superintendent Bill McGuire has recently resigned at a district meeting.
In an internal letter obtained by RLO, District Superintendent Dr. Steve Martinez penned:
Letter to Leadership Team from Martinez
“It is with mixed emotions that I announce the retirement of Deputy Superintendent Bill McGuire from Twin Rivers Unified, effective Dec. 31, 2019. Bill is one of the most respected leaders in his field of business services, and now we must attempt to find a successor for this visionary leader whose knowledge, enthusiasm and loyalty have been critical as we navigate the currents of change.”
…
“As much as this one hurts—Bill is a trusted advisor to me, the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Team—we will continue to focus on forward progress. Bill would expect nothing less. Fortunately for us, Bill stands ready to support the district as we begin the search for a new Chief Business Officer.”
Dr. Steve Martinez
Dr. Martinez also notes the accomplishments of the district under the direction of McGuire:
- Long-term debt decreased from $169 million (2007-08) to $47.35 million (2018-19) and to zero by March 2020
- $100 million investment in facilities improvements, including a new pool at Grant Union High School, turf replacement at high school stadiums and 27 modernization projects in progress
- $7.6 million HVAC installation project at Harmon Johnson and Grant
- $950,400 rebuilding of three classrooms destroyed in an arson fire
- The largest fleet of electric school buses in the country
- Deployment of 9,375 new Chromebooks for TR schools, 2,000 new laptops for teachers and 350 Smart TVs for classrooms
- Allocating resources to improve student outcomes with fiscal solvency”
Mr. McGuire had been scheduled to sign a new contract with the district giving him an hourly rate instead of a salary, before the issue was pulled from the recent board meeting agenda. This contract would have cut 30 working days from his schedule, and given McGuire a $288 raise per day, fully paid health benefits and would have allowed him to do outside consulting.
The potential of an administrative pay increase at a time when the district is planning to close schools due to projected budget and enrollment shortfalls drew the ire of many district parents and educators. Dr. Martinez said the district is facing a $3.8 million deficit and has too many schools with not enough students. The district has lost 800 students in the past two years. Dr. Martinez also said the district has made $16.9 million worth of budget cuts in the last two fiscal years, but those cuts have fallen short.
“No one in this district should be making that kind of money. This is taxpayer money and it is outrageous.”
Rebecca LeDoux, President of Twin Rivers United Educators via Fox40
McGuire’s resignation and retirement will begin on January 1, 2020.
