Sonora Elementary Superintendent Contract Extended Despite Opposition

Photo by: Sabrina Biehl

Sonora, CA — At a passionate Sonora Elementary School Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday evening, teachers and parents voiced concerns about how the school is operating, and in the end, the board still voted to extend the contract of the district’s superintendent.

myMotherLode.com reporter Sabrina Biehl was on hand and reported that around 120 people were in attendance and many were outside before the meeting holding signs that read slogans like, “Bring back Bobcat Pride,” “Trust Our Staff,” “Let us Teach,” “Promote successful well-rounded students,” and “No contract for Superintendent Griffith.” School districts are limited in what they can say related to personnel matters, but it was emphasized that the district has lost a couple of dozen teachers in recent years and that there is a widening disconnect between teachers and the administration.

In the end, the board of trustees voted 3-1 to extend the existing contract of Superintendent Cheryl Griffiths through June of 2028. Her contract was initially set to expire in 2026. School board members in favor indicated that Griffiths has been responsive to them, and they desire stability, after seeing multiple superintendents come and go over recent years.

Those in support of the extension were board President Cody Ritts, Board Clerk Reed Schoedl, and board member Steve Roos. Member Kathy Francis was the lone vote in opposition, and Joyce Lupo was absent, but she sent a letter that Ritts read aloud, indicating that she if she had been present, she would have voted in favor of the extension.

Many people spoke during the public comment period, and you can click here to view a video snapshot of some of the concerns voiced.

Click here to also view a video of the formal vote to extend the contract, with board members explaining their reasoning, and the audience response.

Sonora Elementary has an enrollment of around 635 students.