Dr. Charles Young’s contract approved

The contract for the new Benicia Unified School District superintendent was approved in a special meeting of the governing board of trustees Wednesday, and Dr. Charles Young was introduced to those assembled.

“As we looked at (retiring superintendent) Janice (Adams)’s contract we realized it was eight years ago. A lot of things have changed,” board chair Gary Wing said. “So working with our attorney we brought it up to date, made it current, added the correct language.

“We spent the last five, six days making it current and bringing it forward.”

The contract was unanimously approved by the board.

Wing brought Young forward to sign the contract and to speak a few words to the audience.

“I am so honored to be selected as the new superintendent,” Young said. “Honored, humbled and jazzed to be here. This is an amazing town.”

Young noted he is in his 28th year in public education. “I’ve always believed very deeply that in the power and purpose of public education, when we come together as a community, teachers, staff and parents, we can do absolutely amazing things for kids.

“These people in public education, we touch kids’ lives, we change their lives, we can do amazing things for them.

“I’m excited to come here and be your superintendent, and to help you move your mission forward. To provide a quality education, and a caring community, and a safe environment … and I might change the mission statement, to prepare our students for jobs and careers that we don’t even know exist yet. That’s the exciting work that we get to engage in.

“I cannot wait until July 1st when I can begin,” he said.

In other business, the board also unanimously approved an agreement between Benicia Teachers Association and the district. “Throughout the whole process it was very respectful on both sides,” Deputy Superintendent Michael Gardner said. “A lot of people think that when you are in that cycle you are adversaries, (but) it wasn’t the case at all.”

“It was a really good process.”

Also Wednesday, Superintendent Adams announced two new appointments. Christina Moore, principal of Benicia Middle School, will become principal of Robert Semple Elementary for the 2015-16 school year. Moore was a teacher for Robert Semple for 16 years.

“When I offered her the position of principal at Benicia Middle School she said, ‘There is only one condition that I accept. If an opening comes up at Robert Semple, I want to be able to put my hat in the ring,’” Adams said.

“So I kept good on my promise, and she applied. She was overwhelmingly selected, and the staff is thrilled to have her.”

Adams also introduced Jan Rogenski as the coordinator of curriculum instruction.

“Four years ago she came to the district office when we had a 60-percent curriculum director and an assistant. That was the entire curriculum department,” Adams said. “I don’t know anyone in my whole career who works harder than Jan Rogenski.

“This is an overdue and well-deserved promotion for Jan.”

The next regular meeting of the board will be May 21.