SB 494 – DEFEND THE AUTHORITY OF DISTRICTS FROM THE STATE!

Senate Bill 494, introduced by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) would prohibit the governing board of a school district from terminating a superintendent or assistant superintendent without cause, at a special or emergency meeting of the governing board or within 30 days after the first convening of the governing board after a general election. Current law allows the superintendent and assistant superintendent to serve at the pleasure of the local district’s governing board and be terminated with or without cause.

This bill seeks to undermine local control and discretion of district governing boards, giving more power to the state.

SB 494 specifically targets actions taken by the newly installed Orange Unified School District in January 2023, to remove the district superintendent during a special meeting, a move that was wholly within their authority. 

Sign this petition to tell the California Legislature to vote NO on SB 494.