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Kotowski
Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Kotowski acted within the scope of her authority when she rescinded a contract between the King City Joint Union High School District and its teachers association, a judge has ruled.
In a written ruling issued last week, Monterey County Superior Court Judge Kay Kingsley said Kotowski's actions were authorized by the Education Code because "once it is determined that a district has a negative certification ... the county superintendent is vested with additional fiscal oversight powers and duties." A district receives a negative certification from the state if it is unlikely to meet its financial obligations.
In response to the ruling, Kotowski said in a statement that "since I rescinded the agreement, the teachers union and the school district are still working on a solution that will help in the school district's financial recovery." She could not be reached for further comment.
Tim Swoverland, president of the King City High School Teachers Association, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Mike Myslinski, spokesman for the California Teachers Association, said the union was