Superintendent William Roderick of the Plumas Unified School District (PUSD) has been placed on paid administrative leave following unanimous decisions made during closed sessions at PUSD board meetings on September 11 and 13, 2024. The board appointed Assistant Superintendent Melissa Leal as the acting superintendent in Roderick’s absence.
According to the Plumas Sun, the PUSD board has not disclosed specific reasons for Roderick’s leave, but the decisions are related to ongoing labor negotiations and salary discussions. The board president, David Keller, emphasized the importance of careful and thoughtful decision-making during this period. Keller noted that the decision to place Roderick on leave was communicated immediately after the initial meeting. Sierra Daily News contacted Roderick’s Attorney David Bristol who has confirmed that he has not received any specifics as to why Roderick was placed on paid leave.
Superintendent Roderick, who has been with PUSD since July 2022, was previously the senior director of student services at the Lake County Office of Education and has a background in educational leadership roles, including serving as a high school principal. His leave comes at a time when the district is facing financial challenges in part due to declining enrollment, as highlighted by recent reports showing tight budget management and ongoing discussions about compensation and benefits within the district.
Assistant Superintendent Melissa Leal, who now steps into the role of acting superintendent, may serve in this capacity for an indefinite period, possibly extending through the school year, depending on the board’s forthcoming decisions.
The Plumas Unified School District Board will meet next on October 9th.
