CVUSD Announces Fate Of Embattled Administrators

The superintendent and assistant superintendent for the Coachella Valley Unified School District are still on paid administrative leave.

The investigation into their alleged actions is not over, but on Thursday, the school board announced a decision fate of the two administrators for next year.

The announcement was brief, but pleasing to most in the audience.

Superintendent Ricardo Medina can’t teach in the district for at least two years, but assistant superintendent Rick Alvarez could.

“It appears that Ricardo Medina has received a non-reelect, meaning that he’s in a probationary status and he won’t be back next year,” said Alexis Lanza, president of the Coachella Valley Teachers Association.

Alvarez still has a shot at returning to the school district in some capacity, officials said.

He just may be reassigned and lose his position as an administrator.

“If the investigation goes through and everything’s fine, then (the board) pretty much put every administrator on notice that they can be reassigned,” said Lanza. “So, now he’s included in that group.”

Dr. Darryl Adams is the interim superintendent.

He’s assisted by Jamie Brown, the assistant superintendent of business services.

Overall, district staff members are satisfied with the job both are doing, saying that Adams has been a breath of fresh air.

“He’s been a ray of light in our district,” said Lanza. “He’s opened up lines of communication that have been lacking for years since I’ve been in the district, which is since 2000.”

In fact, district staff members say they’ve already moved on from Medina and Alvarez.

The board has also approved the process of issuing layoff notices to more than 150 teachers, councilors and administrators for the next school year.

Without an extension of tax increases set to expire this year, the layoffs could be official on May 15.

“That in itself will save our public education system throughout California for at least the next few years, while our legislators have a chance to get things together and figure out how to fund public education consistently,” said Lanza.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s office says it doesn’t have an active criminal investigation into Medina or Alvarez.

The school district says it’s own investigation is nearing the end.

The vote on Alvarez passed unanimously.

The vote on Medina passed 6-1.