Paramount Unified board approves new Deputy Superintendent role and broad HR reorganization

Paramount Unified School District’s board voted April 10 to approve a sweeping personnel realignment that establishes a Deputy Superintendent for Pupil and Personnel Services and eliminates several prior job descriptions, a move the district says clarifies responsibility for student services and personnel.

The motion to approve the new job description for a Deputy Superintendent — which includes reclassifying some duties currently housed in Human Resources and folding pupil services into that division — passed by recorded vote. Superintendent Dr Lidle told the board the realignment will balance work between Educational Services and pupil services, centralize policies and create an official district spokesperson on student‑service matters.

The reorganization was bundled with a series of related human resources actions that the board approved in succession, including amendments to employment contracts and creation of coordinator and instructional positions while eliminating several prior titles. Board members said the changes respond to recommendations from a California School Services audit and aim to streamline duties rather than add headcount.

The action drew public criticism during the hearing section. Kimberly Go Forth, a 24‑year teacher and former TAP president and bargaining chair, told the board that site funding and personnel are being cut while the district ‘‘is being asked today to approve a new position of Deputy superintendent which we have never had before. This position has already been given to Dr. gando carry and it carries an increased salary of $270,000 a year.’’ She urged the board to halt what she described as expedited, non‑transparent decisions that hurt students and staff.

BR Conor, identified in the record as president of the teachers association, said the association is concerned about staff losses and stressed the union’s interest in protecting employees’ placements. Conor asked for clearer communication about program changes and noted bargaining efforts to preserve positions where possible.

Dr Lidle and board members responded in public discussion, saying the reorganization moves pupil‑services responsibilities (child welfare and attendance, health services, disciplinary processes, mental health services and communications) into a balanced division and that some employees are being reclassified rather than added. The superintendent said the district must demonstrate multi‑year fiscal viability and follow audit recommendations.

In related action the board reported out of closed session that it had approved notices of non‑reelection to a set of temporary certificated employees pursuant to Education Code section 44954, effective at the end of the 2023‑24 school year, and directed the superintendent to serve appropriate legal notices. Employee reference numbers were read into the record and the board reported the closed‑session vote as recorded in the minutes.

What’s next: The board approved the job descriptions and authorizations during the meeting; administrative implementation, notices and follow‑up with affected employees were announced as the superintendent’s next steps.