Tooker removed as Placer Union High School District superintendent

In a closed session meeting Monday night, the Placer Union High School District's Board of Trustees moved to relieve Dr. Jeffrey Tooker as superintendent. The trustees unanimously voted to end the employment agreement with Tooker, who also taught and coached at Del Oro and Placer high schools for 30 years. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Steve Caminiti will serve as acting superintendent, according to an email issued by PUHSD. Under the Unilateral Termination clause of the separation agreement, Tooker's official termination will be Feb. 17, 2025. A severance payment states the district will give Tooker equal to his monthly salary through Feb. 17, 2025. His salary is $290,000 per year. In a statement to PUHSD staff Friday, Tooker said, "As you know, the Board of Trustees and I agreed to part ways. The landscape of public education is always evolving, and I clearly understand the incoming board's vision and values differ from mine. As they look to lead our district in a new direction, they will need a different Superintendent. I am confident that this community's deep-rooted dedication to its students will guide it through this new chapter with strength and resilience." Tooker's separation comes on the heels of a complaint filed against him. In a letter from the office of Scott H. Davison of Davison IP dated Nov. 2, an administrative complaint was filed against Tooker and the PUHSD's Board of Trustees on behalf of Trustee Jessica Spaid and details a nearly two-year retaliation and harassment of continuous complaints and investigations designed to force Spaid to resign from the school board. Last July, PUHSD lawyers were served with a discrimination and harassment lawsuit on behalf of Del Oro High School Athletic Director and teacher Jill Butler, the ex-wife of Tooker. The lawsuit alleges harassment and discrimination after Butler's application to become an assistant principal last school year was not processed. A Del Oro graduate, Tooker returned to work for the district. He has worked in various roles for more than 30 years – as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, interim principal, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent of educational services. In its statement, PUHSD acknowledged Tooker's service, saying, "His efforts and accomplishments as a Teacher, Coach, Administrator, Deputy Superintendent, and Superintendent are appreciated and evident in our District's positive strides during the last three decades. Dr. Tooker's leadership in supporting student achievement is evidenced by the District's growth in A to G requirements, Dual Enrollment opportunities, College & Career Readiness, and enhancement of community partnerships." Caminiti has been in education for nearly 25 years. His tenure began in the classroom teaching Science and AVID at the middle school level. He then served at the high school level as a science teacher and aquatics head coach. Caminiti moved into administration 14 years ago, holding positions of assistant principal and principal at Placer High School. He later became the director of technology for the district.