Agenda set for MUSD meeting

Gonzalez could be fired Wednesday

Madera Unified’s school board, having changed its meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday, Feb. 15, will begin with a closed session to consider, among other items, Public Employee Discipline / Dismissal / Release / Reassignment / Resignation.

According to a district official, under this item the board could vote in closed session to terminate Superintendent Ed Gonzalez. It would then be required to report that action in public session, including an account of how each trustee voted.

Wednesday’s agenda is the first one in several months that did not include the superintendent’s evaluation, which would be superfluous if Gonzalez were to be terminated at that meeting.

Gonzalez has engaged Fresno attorney Barry Bennett of Bennett and Sharpe to represent him in negotiations with MUSD trustees. Bennett and Sharpe are specialists in all areas of labor relations, including negotiations and disciplinary issues.

In an interview with the Tribune Thursday, Bennett was unable to say whether or not the board would vote at its Wed. meeting on releasing Gonzalez.

Wednesday’s meeting will be held in the Boardroom at the district office beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a closed session. The public meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.