North Monterey County School District has become the latest district to part ways with its superintendent.
At its board meeting Thursday, the district’s board approved a mutual separation agreement with its superintendent, Kari Yeater. She will step down effective Aug. 31.
“We would like to thank Superintendent Yeater for 18 years of service to our school district community and 12 years as superintendent,” said the board’s president, Elizabeth Samuels. “Over that time, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in navigating complex negotiations and managing the challenges posed by the pandemic. We wish her the very best.”
Carmel Unified also approved a separation agreement with its superintendent, Ted Knight, earlier this month, while Pacific Grove Unified’s superintendent Ralph Porras announced his resignation in March.
At its Thursday meeting, North Monterey County Unified’s board approved a “satisfactory or better” job evaluation of Yeater for the 2022-23 school year and a contractually required pay raise.
According to Transparent California – the state’s largest public pay and pension database – Yeater made nearly $300k in total pay and benefits in 2021.
According to the amendment approved by the board Thursday, her base salary was increased as of July 1 from $246,703 to $269,965.
In accordance with the separation agreement, the district will buy out 12 months based on the terms of Yeater’s employment contract.
Yeater spent 12 years as the district’s superintendent, and a total of 18 years in North Monterey County Unified.
Her cited successes include: developing a multitude of career pathway certifications and dual enrollment opportunities; the district’s long-term arts integration partnership with the Kennedy Center; the expansion of science, technology, engineering, arts and math into all grade levels; an expanded parent education and parent ambassador program; and an award-winning farm-to-table wellness approach championed by the district’s child nutrition service team.
“My heart will always hold a special place for North Monterey County USD,” said Yeater in the district’s press release. “I am truly in awe of our students. They are bright, future leaders who are kind, talented, and thoughtful, and who will be a voice in guiding the parents, staff, and community members in what they want to see in their school community. I encourage everyone to work together with the Board of Education during this transition to ensure that our North Monterey County students receive support, have a voice, and truly thrive.”
Yeater’s contract was renewed by the board in 2022 for an additional three years, but many parents urged the board to terminate her contract earlier this summer.
A June 2 Change.com petition advocated for the termination of Yeater. The petition had 934 signatures as of Monday.
“Over the past decade, our schools have seen a steady decline in academic performance, student engagement, deteriorating buildings, (unkempt) facilities and staff morale,” the petition read. “Yeater has failed in every category.”
While the board works with Deeneen Gus and the Monterey County Office of Education to appoint an interim superintendent for the remainder of the school year, the district said Mary Dawson will serve as the acting superintendent. Dawson is currently the associate superintendent for business services.
The district’s press release also confirmed that the board will begin the process to find the next permanent superintendent immediately and there will be “numerous opportunities” for the community to engage in the search.
“We are united as a board in seeking to protect both our governance role and the professional responsibility of the superintendent for managing the school district,” said Samuels. “This will be a significant point of focus for the board moving forward. Further, we want to reiterate our dedication to providing the best possible education for our students, fostering an environment of trust and working collaboratively to address concerns and implement positive changes throughout our school district.”
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