The Mariposa County Unified School District is officially in the market for a new superintendent, although the details of the search are still being finalized. The MCUSD Board of Trustees considered a number of options at its very short, special meeting on Feb. 4.

Board members had placed the item on the agenda so that they could discuss some options for finding a replacement for current Superintendent Randy Panietz, who will retire effective June 30. Panietz told the board last week that his last day at work will be May 24, which means an acting superitendent should be appointed until Panietz’s contract expires.

Assistant Superintendent Aaron Rosander told the board the district could post the opening, but wouldn’t have any detailed information available to interested parties until after the board meets again on Feb. 18. “This is going to take some discussion time from you,” Rosander said, noting that the district must decide whether or not to use an agency to recruit, post it within the district and decide on a salary.

Board President Eldon Hen- derson said he was interested in advertising the position inhouse and statewide, but not all over the nation. “I’m not interested in someone from outside who doesn’t understand California,” he said. “I want no learning curve, but to get someone like that, we’re going to have to pay a decent salary.”

Board member Joe Cardoso suggested the board hold off on hiring a permanent replacement and instead opt for an interim superintendent. He wants the board to look at the overall reorganization of the district office, especially the assistant superintendent’s position, which he called “extremely overwhelmed.”

“I like the interim (idea) because you’re not locked in,” Cardoso said. He noted that if the district promoted from within, new opportunities for current employees could be created.

Henderson agreed. “I like to promote from within because it sends a message to your employees,” he noted it recognizes their hard work and dedication. He said the cuts made in the past year had been hard on everyone.

Board member Judy Eppler called some past decisions “penny wise and pound foolish,” and said she, too, wanted to see the “total picture.”

Henderson said district office staff need to know “the cavalry is coming over the hill” to help. “We’re going to do everything we can to lighten your load, ease your burden,” he said to satff.

The board did not take formal action on the matter, but plans to discuss it further later this month. In the meantime, Rosander is compiling a list of possible interim superintendents and the potential recruitment expenses and timelines.

Henderson said the board welcomes comments as the process moves forward. “There is certainly not going to be any retaliation,” he said to staff. “We respect your opinions. You’ve put up with a lot of stuff.”

Earlier in the meeting, the board had acted on a resolution that was really just a formality, but showed the lay-off of a number of instructional aides. Rosander explained that the positions had to be formally eliminated so that the district could reinstate them using federal stimulus money.

“It’s a paperwork trail that we’re creating for next year,” Rosander said. “If we shift funding now, no one gets touched for 18 months.” There is no break in service to children, and the employees do not lose seniority because of the layoffs.