SLO County school district superintendent to retire: ‘Thank you for your encouragement’
The superintendent of a small San Luis Obispo County school district announced his impending retirement on Friday, just weeks after he received a hefty and contentious raise.
Scott Smith, who leads both the Cayucos Elementary and Coast Unified school districts along the northern coast of the county, said he will submit his intent to retire from the Cayucos district by the end of February.
Although his employment with the Cayucos Elementary School District is nearing its end, officials at the Coast Unified School District indicated that he appears to be remaining as their superintendent for the time being.
Smith sent his retirement announcement to Cayucos Elementary students, parents, staff and Board of Education members Friday morning.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the students of Cayucos Elementary for the past five years,” his note read. “I want to thank the trustees for their recent vote of confidence and pay increase that they have provided for me. Despite their best efforts to get me to delay my retirement a little longer, I intend to submit my retirement notice before Feb. 30.”
Smith was referencing the board’s January vote to increase his salary by 10% up to $220,085.
That vote was heavily contested among some parents in the community who argued the raise was unjust given his alleged intimidation and harassment of people over their adherence to COVID-19 safety policies. Some said he contributed to an unsafe working environment at the elementary district by not ensuring the California Department of Public Health’s indoor mask mandate was enforced.
At a January school board meeting, a few community members said Smith had recently exhibited unprofessional behavior that instilled “fear of retaliation and contribute(d) to sagging morale.”
Many at that January meeting noted that relations had become contentious between the community and Smith after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, causing a fury of politically-charged bickering to enter school board meetings as mask mandates and vaccine policies were hotly debated.
Those community members noted that they wanted the “old Cayucos” back.
Superintendent says he’s proud of work at district
In his retirement message, Smith thanked parents for their “partnership over the years serving students.”
“Thank you for your encouragement and patience,” he wrote. “I will never forget the many encouraging moments you have provided me during times of adversity.
He added: “I consider what we have done together as an overwhelming success that has benefited students. I am proud of our work together. As I move into this new season in life, I wish you and your children happiness and success.”
Smith also thanked Cayucos Elementary Principal Liz Villalobos and staff, saying “together we have been a positive force for students. I know you will continue to encourage students to reach for the stars.”
Smith declined The Tribune’s request for comment.
This story was originally published February 5, 2022 at 12:36 PM.
