Livermore school board hires new superintendent

The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School Board on Tuesday finalized a three-year contract for a new superintendent after the abrupt departure of former Superintendent Torie Gibson earlier this year.

Anthony Limoges, an associate superintendent of human resources for the Rocklin Unified School District in Placer County, will start the job on July 1.

The decision by the board caps months of searching for a replacement, which included the help of the Alameda County Board of Education.

The district will pay Limoges a starting annual salary of $329,000, with a potential 5% raise after six months based on his performance and pending board approval, according to his contract. A year later, after further performance reviews and board approval, he could receive another 3.5% raise up to $357,541 and another 3.5% raise to $370,052 the following year.

Gibson left in February after public backlash from teachers and families over proposed school closures that ultimately never happened.

Nearly $15 million in budget cuts were approved in February to balance the district’s $215.9 million budget through the 2026-27 school year. Gibson left after about 18 months on the job.

“Hopefully, with the installation of a new superintendent, we can get back to the service model of education,” Livermore Education Association President Aimee Thompson told the board at Tuesday’s meeting. “Thank you to the board for recognizing the damage being done to our district by our former superintendent and having the courage to change course.”

Thompson also praised Michelle Pechette’s work as interim acting superintendent.

“Thank you to Michelle Pechette for stepping up in a time of crisis and transition to help smooth the waters and get us back on track,” Thompson said. “Her leadership during a difficult time was instrumental in budget recovery and beginning to establish a baseline of trust.”

Thompson, however, questioned part of Limoges’ contract, including sections that agree to a fully paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance policy with a value of $250,000. The district also agreed to pay for Limoges to join up to four professional associations.

“LEA members must pay these costs out of pocket. We have no life insurance and no disability insurance. Why are such benefits provided to the highest paid managers but not the rank and file employees?” Thompson asked. “Why is the district paying such expense for the highest paid employees who are in a better financial position to afford such dues?”

Tara Boyce, a district parent, told the board she asked some residents of the Rocklin school district about Limoges and did not like what she heard.

“The crux was really that Dr. Limoges has chameleon tendencies where his views change based on the humans that were in the room with him, and being unwilling to risk himself and his position for the good of the students,” Boyce said Tuesday. “To me, that brought back PTSD of our former superintendent, and I’m not looking forward to a repeat performance.”

She questioned how the board would keep their new superintendent in check.

“We as a district have not had success with holding superintendents accountable in the last two years,” Boyce said. “What is the plan of the board to create this structure of accountability from day one and ensure that the superintendent is on board with being held accountable?”

Board Clerk Christiaan VandenHeuvel defended Limoges and the board’s decision prior to the unanimous vote.

“I’m both satisfied and nervous, but I think we’re in a really good spot,” VandenHeuvel said. “It’s always good when both parties are equally a little dissatisfied in some ways. But this is a really good step forward.”

Trustee Craig Bueno also voiced his approval.

“The board does have its work cut out, and in short order, to make sure that we can get fully functioning,” Bueno said. “I believe in this agreement and I agree with Dr. Limoges’ ability to meet those requirements.”