Burton names Shimer interim superintendent
Burton School District named new interim superintendent and interim assistant superintendent Thursday evening during their board meeting.
During the regular board meeting held on Aug 6, the board ratified the appointment of an interim superintendent during Sharon Kamberg’s administrative leave.
Kamberg is on administrative leave for unknown reasons, yet after a semiannual evaluation for the superintendent a couple weeks ago on closed session with a special board meeting.
Due to protected personnel rights, neither the board nor staff can comment on the nature of Kamberg’s administrative leave, but lawyers representing both sides are in the process of trying to reach an agreement on the matter.
The day-to-day operations of the school district will be under the direction of Interim Superintendent David Shimer.
“It’s a busy time of the year, school is about to start and Shimer will be a great fit to pull us through the year,” said Irene Ortega BSD communication and community engagement officer. “We are moving forward. We have a great team, and teachers have been attending training all summer and are really excited about the new year. Unfortunately this is happening at this time, but the district is doing well and we are pushing forward to make sure there are not interruptions to teachers and students.”
Shimer currently serves as an Education Services Director, and is starting his fifteenth year with the district. Shimmer served as a teacher a vice principal before coming to the district office as director of technology.
“He is not making any huge changes, he will just be caring for the district,” Ortega mentioned. “David is well respected throughout the district, and he is a very great choice to move forward until there is a resolution.”
Shimer is under a contract for a 13.9 percent raise topping more than 150,000 dollars a year until they find a
perintendent. Once they do, the contract will be null and void and he will go back to his original position.
During the meeting, the board also ratified the resignation of Krista Herrera, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, who found a new position in Bakersfield at the Kern County Office of Education.
“Herrera is originally from Bakersfield, and it was something closer to home for her,” said Ortega. “The district has begun the recruitment process for Herrera's replacement.”
Meanwhile, Treasure Weisenberger, current director of human resources, was appointed as the interim assistant superintendent until
the position is filled. Weisenberger is beginning her 20th year with the district.
“We are waiting until Kamberg's and the district's lawyers come to an agreement to post the superintendent and assistant superintendent positions,” said Ortega.
All applicants will be able to apply through Edjoin.com for the Superintendent and assistant superintendent positions as addressed at the meeting.
The board is still deciding if the hiring process will be done by themselves or if they will hire a firm to do the recruiting.
“We want to ensure parents that this is not going to affect their students' education,” said Ortega. “We are going to make sure students have a great back-toschool day and year,
as well as our teachers who will have our support.”
Monday's board meeting also included the approval of new provisional internships for new teachers for the 2018-2019 school year.
Ortega also addressed new communication updates to the district, such as new device application updates and a magazine approval for the district.
They also talked about the project delay on the Summit Charter Intermediate Academy, confirming that SCIA will not be ready until after Labor Day.
The meeting was adjourned with a few words from BSD Board Member Eddie Hernandez, who said, “We look forward to the new school year, and continuing to focus on supporting our staff, students and families.”