Orange Unified Approves Interim Superintendent’s Contract After Firing Former Superintendent

After abruptly firing its superintendent two weeks ago, the Orange Unified Board of Education approved a contract for an interim superintendent, Edward Velasquez, during a board meeting Jan. 19.
Velasquez, an educator who has served as interim superintendent for multiple school districts in San Diego County, left retirement to step into the vacant role at the request of board president Rick Ledesma.
The new superintendent will be paid a daily rate of $1,350 and will work four to five days per week, according to his contract (pdf).
The agreement does not cover medical expenses or provide sick leave or vacation days.
The board voted to appoint Velasquez during a Jan. 5 emergency meeting called just 24 hours in advance by Ledesma….