School Board Votes 3-2 to Fire Superintendent
The Paramount school board emerged from a three-hour closed-door meeting late Tuesday and voted 3 to 2 to fire Supt. Richard Caldwell when his contract expires in June.
Caldwell’s critics have said that his traditional style prevented the school system from implementing badly needed changes, such as year-round schools. “People who have been in the same position for years and years do the same things again and again,” said board member Janet Miller, in explaining her vote against Caldwell, who has held the position for 13 years. “We need people with new perspectives.”
About 60 spectators packed the small board room in support of Caldwell, who joined the Paramount Unified School District in 1953 as an industrial arts teacher.
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