Trustees approve next year’s budget, hear hiring update, schedule board workshop for next month

ATASCADERO — In its final meeting of the 2024-25 academic year, on Tuesday, June 10, the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees took care of a few points of business, such as approving next year’s budget, finalizing the schedule for a staff workshop next month, and hearing a district hiring update, among other things.

However, the meeting was also notable as the last for two of the district’s most important people, Superintendent Tom Butler and longtime Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Stacey Phillips, who are both retiring at the end of June.

“This is the last meeting for Mrs. Phillips and I, and we both wanted to say thanks so much,” Butler said. “We’ve enjoyed so much being able to work with such a high-quality staff, amazing students across the board, and dedicated parents committed to supporting the school. It’s been a pleasure being superintendent, and I’ve loved working here.”

After that, the five trustees present (Joey Arnold and Rebekah Koznek were absent) got a chance to express their appreciation for the work and service both have done during their time with AUSD.

Corinne Kuhnle seemed to capture the whole board’s feelings when she said, “Tom and Stacey, you’ve both been student-first in running this school, and it’s been an honor. Just seeing some of the pictures we’ve taken together, I realized the good time I had working with you. I’m honored to call you both my friends.”

Jodi Taylor commented that, with her being the newest trustee, Butler was always eager to help her learn the ropes and was good at explaining things. Vy Pierce noted how Butler, shortly after he took over in 2015, had to deal with a crisis when terroristic threats caused the San Gabriel Elementary campus to be shut down and its students relocated for two weeks, and then guided the district through the COVID pandemic starting in 2020. “Thank you for your leadership; you will be dearly missed,” Pierce said.

Board President Denise McGrew-Kane lamented that the district was losing several years of experience. “Can we take a computer chip and download your 31 years of experience, with your wealth of knowledge, and keep it here?” she jokingly asked of Phillips.” She then noted that while most districts can expect to keep their superintendent for about three years on average, AUSD was able to hang on to him for 10. “Thank you for sticking it out for so long,” McGrew-Kane said to Butler. “Thanks for ensuring we’ve remained fiscally responsive and student-centered.”

Tracy Ellis-Weit recalled her first day working on the high school level and meeting Phillips for the first time in a nurse’s office. “After that, you were there for me any time I had a question, and here I am as a trustee, and she’s still here with a smile. Thank you; you’ve been my rock.”

Ellis-Weit also remembered the first time she met Butler and impressed upon him that they needed to supply every students with Chromebooks so they would fall behind. “He did follow through with those,” she said. “How, I’m a trustee, and he’s here with a smile. I enjoyed working with you as a teacher, and as a trustee.”

Butler will continue in the position through the end of June, and on July 1, Dr. Tom Bennett will take over as superintendent.

After the Board Member Reports:

The board scheduled a workshop to take place over two days, Tuesday, July 8, and Wednesday, July 9, scheduled for 3 to 8 p.m. both nights. The item was originally for a one-day workshop on July 8, but when Pierce asked how long it would be, Ellis-Weit suggested to the board that the workshop be spread out over two days. That proposal was unanimously passed.

Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services E.J. Rossi reported the district’s progress on the California School Dashboard, with AUSD meeting the standards in five priorities set by the state, with the trustees approving his report and his update introduced last week on AUSD Local Control and Accountability Plan, both by 5-0 votes. Kuhnle praised Rossi on his work submitting the reports.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Kendyl Darnell submitted the 2025-26 annual budget, which was introduced last week and had no requests for changes or amendments. The budget was approved 5-0

In an information-only item, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Renee Argain gave a hiring update from February to now. She reported that AUSD has hired 21 teachers for the 2025-26 school year, as well as an assistant principal for Atascadero Middle School, and 35 employees. Argain said there were currently 15 openings in the certificated category (including teachers and faculty), and 33 in the special needs category, and that the district was planning a job fair to help them indentify and recruit candidates.

McGrew-Kane wrapped up the meeting by wishing everyone a great summer, and Butler and Phillips a great retirement.

The Board of Trustees’ next regular meeting, and first with new Superintendent Bennett, is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 5, with closed session at 5:30 p.m. and open session at 7 p.m.