Board selects interim superintendents

In a closed session on May 23, the TCUSD Board of Education voted to appoint Dr. Mark Skvarna and Mr. Richard Tauer, consultants from the Sacramento-based Capitol Advisors Group, as interim co-superintendents, allowing previously acting superintendent Ms. Marianne Sarrail to focus on her responsibilities as chief business official.
“Dr. Skvarna’s background in school finance and Mr. Tauer’s human resources experience will be invaluable as they fulfill this shared responsibility,” the Board wrote in a May 25 statement. “The interim superintendents will be instrumental in helping develop a plan that best meets the needs of the District and facilitating thoughtful conversation with the community.”
Mr. Tauer previously served as the principal of La Rosa Elementary and worked for the district as Director of Projects from 1988 to 1989. Dr. Skvarna previously served as superintendent of the Baldwin Park Unified School District from 2000 to 2014 and worked in TCUSD as Director of Facilities Services from 1992 to 1994.
“Right now, the district is going through some really tough times, the board is going through difficult times—same for the staff—and it reverberates throughout the whole district,” Mr. Tauer said. “We intend to work as quickly as possible, be as visible as possible and give messages that are authentic as we move into the next stage for this district.”
On March 21, after the Board voted 4-1 to not renew Superintendent Ms. Kathy Perini’s contract, then, after closed session on April 19, the Board placed Ms. Perini on paid administrative leave, appointing Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services Dr. Art Cunha as interim superintendent.
In closed session on May 9, the Board rescinded Dr. Cunha’s appointment as interim superintendent and appointed Ms. Marianne Sarrail in his place.
“[Mr. Tauer and Mr. Skvana’s] interim appointment will also allow our District’s office administration to focus entirely on their regular duties and work more effectively in maintaining the high quality standards of this District,” the Board wrote in the same May 25 statement. “Administrators, teachers and staff at all levels of the District are working hard to ensure the final days of the school year are meaningful to students. With this goal always in mind, we encourage members of our TCUSD community to carry forward.”