The Abridged version:
- Twin Rivers Unified Superintendent Steve Martinez plans to step down later this year, following 13 years in the job.
- His departure comes as the district faces contentious negotiations with its teachers’ union and a reckoning with its notorious charter school.
- Martinez, who will be with the district through the end of October, said he aims to resolve all challenges before leaving.
Twin Rivers Unified Superintendent Steve Martinez will leave his role later this year, he announced at a special school board meeting Thursday.
His 13-year tenure comes to a close as the district faces stalling negotiations with its teacher union, Twin Rivers United Educators.
The months-long process entered the “fact-finding” stage earlier in February — meaning a neutral third party is currently hearing out both sides in a final effort to find consensus. Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority of teachers said they would approve a strike.
During the special board meeting where Martinez made his announcement, trustees approved a set of procedures outlining how the district would respond to a strike. The emergency protocols include giving the superintendent the ability to hire substitutes at daily rates up to $600.
Brittoni Ward, president of the Twin Rivers teachers union, protested the measure as a waste of time that should have been spent continuing negotiations Thursday evening.
“We should all be at the table, not doing this,” she said, in tears.
Martinez, 56, said his exit has nothing to do with the district’s current challenges.
“I want to be clear with our community: my decision to retire has been part of a long-standing personal timeline and was made well before any of the current matters facing our district — including negotiations or other ongoing challenges,” he said in a statement to Abridged.
“This transition reflects a natural point in my career and my family’s plans, not a reaction to present circumstances.”
His last day with the district will be Oct. 31.
A 13-year run ends
Martinez assumed his role in July 2013, as the district was grappling with $169 million in debt and the possibility of a state takeover.
He is the longest-serving superintendent in the district’s 18-year history.
In 2008, four smaller districts — Del Paso Heights, Grant Joint Union High School, North Sacramento and Rio Linda Union — combined to form Twin Rivers Unified. Before Martinez, three superintendents in five years led Twin Rivers.
“Dr. Martinez has been a steady and visionary leader whose impact on Twin Rivers Unified cannot be overstated,” Christine Jefferson, school board president, said in a statement.
“He guided this district through financial recovery, strengthened academic outcomes, expanded student opportunities, and helped build the foundation for long-term success,” she continued. “On behalf of the Board, we are deeply grateful for his service and commitment to our students, staff, and community.”
The board will begin the search for Martinez’s successor, with more details to come next week, according to a media release Thursday.
Troubles in Twin Rivers
More than 90% of Twin Rivers’ represented teachers voted yes to a potential strike, the union announced earlier this month.
Educators say they are pushing for more competitive pay and benefits, along with improved conditions like smaller class sizes.
Negotiations, which have stretched for nearly a full year, are in the last stage of the process before a strike could occur. It would be the first strike at Twin Rivers.
The district faces another challenge with Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools.
The charter school system serving adults, primarily refugees or formerly incarcerated individuals, came under fire after a state audit uncovered a laundry list of violations, including inappropriate hiring practices and receiving about $180 million in funds for which it was not eligible.
The audit also charged Twin Rivers with failing to provide adequate oversight.
New leadership at Highlands has sought to keep the doors open but hit a setback last month when Twin Rivers trustees moved forward with revoking its charter.
“The challenges and milestones before us will be resolved during my tenure,” Martinez said. “I owe that to our students, our staff, and our community. The next superintendent will inherit a district positioned on stable ground with strong relationships, institutional knowledge, and the strategic runway to succeed from day one.”
Savannah Kuchar is a reporter covering education. She came to Sacramento to be a part of the Abridged team and contribute to a crucial local news source.