Navarro takes oath of office as Antioch’s newest school board trustee
New Antioch School Board Trustee Fernando Navarro takes his oath of office administered by Board President Claire Smith, as the other trustees look on, Wednesday afternoon, December 9, 2015.
By Allen Payton
Antioch businessman Fernando Navarro took his oath of office, Wednesday to become the newest member of the Antioch School Board. During a special afternoon session at which his parents and brother were in attendance. but not his wife and children, Navarro was sworn in formally by Board President Claire Smith.
“We’ll have a ceremonial oath of office in January when his family can be in attendance,” said Smith.
Fernando Navarro signs his Oath of Office to officially become Antioch’s newest schools trustee.
“They’re on their way to Guadalajara for Christmas,” Navarro shared referring to his family.
“We’d like to officially welcome Fernando,” Smith stated.
“It will be a fun ride, maybe,” she added with laughter.
The meeting was held at 4:00 p.m., so that Navarro could participate in a closed session meeting with Interim Superintendent Stephanie Anello, which was on the agenda as a “Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Interim Superintendent.”
However, in an email from Smith in response to questions about the meeting, she stated that it was not an evaluation. Following is the email exchange on the subject:
Antioch Herald – Why is Fernando Navarro being sworn in at 4 p.m. when most members of the public cannot attend?
Smith – “In order for him to participate in closed session and get all the information he must be sworn in first.”
AH – I assume it’s so he can participate in the Performance Evaluation of Interim Superintendent Anello. If so, that begs the question how could he evaluate her performance when he’s taking office that day?
Smith – “It is not ‘a performance evaluation.’ Obviously, she has not been working in the position long enough to have an evaluation. However, the board does need to discuss with her what we expect of her performance.”
AH – Do you really expect the early Closed Session to last almost 3 hours?
Smith – “Yes, I do anticipate the closed session to last 3 hours. That is not uncommon. Look at past agendas.”
AH – The agenda states “Public Employee Performance Evaluation…” So, if it isn’t one, perhaps that should be relabeled as to what it truly is, a meeting to discuss guidance and direction of what the Board expects the Interim Superintendent to do. That being the case, why must that be done in closed session?
Smith – “Because it is still considered a personnel issue. An Employee will be discussed. Superintendents evaluations are never done in public. In past years, this discussion took place off site and lasted sometimes 5-6 hours.”
The closed session with Anello was held as scheduled, following Navarro’s oath of office ceremony, but nothing was reported out after it was finished, and before the regular meeting began at 7:00 p.m.
the attachments to this post:
Navarro signs oath
Fernando Navarro oath
