The Mariposa County Unified School District Board of Trustees held a brief special meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the process of hiring a new superintendent. It didn’t take long for them to determine that they want to get the ball rolling immediately.

The board is faced with hiring a new superintendent as the incumbent, Randy Panietz, is retiring, effective May 24. Panietz did not attend Tuesday night’s meeting.

The board discussed the options of appointing an acting superintendent until June 30, when Panietz’s contract officially expires, looking to hire an interim superintendent or advertising the position. In the end, it chose to appoint an acting superintendent and immediately begin looking for a new one.

Board members considered the costs to recruit, staff time and the qualifications of people who already work in the district. “I feel really strongly that we need to go with an acting superintendent until June,” District 3 representative Judy Eppler said. She added that she wanted to advertise the position quickly and statewide. “I want one ready to go on July 1,” she said of a new superintendent.

District 5 representative Kim Forsythe-Allison was concerned about cost and burdening staff. “We know we don’t have the money, and we know our staff doesn’t have the time,” she said. The board decided to use the services of a county office of education to conduct the search to save money and staff time.

The four board members at the meeting, District 1 represenative Janette Gamble was absent, agreed that there are qualified people within the district as well, and encouraged them to apply.

Board President Eldon Henderson asked for staff input. Mariposa Middle School Principal Dr. Bill Atwood said his staff wants a quick resolution. “The sooner you have an acting superintendent, the better,” he said, noting that much planning needs to take place for next year right away. “There is a need for movement,” he said.

Jon Stewart, who spoke on behalf of the Classified School Employees Association, agreed. He said his people need a “feeling of stability” to get through. “We’ve had some trying times. A lot of folks are running scared.”

Mariposa County High School teacher Wayne Forsythe urged the board to look at the talent in the district. “We have outstanding people,” he said, noting that it’s going to be a tough job. “Whoever is going to stand up to the plate is going to need support,” he said.

The board did not take any further action other than directing staff to get moving on the recruitment process. It will hold another special meeting on March 4 to begin considering teacher layoffs.