SALINAS,
Calif.- We have new information on
a story we've been following closely, on a controversial decision by one of
your elected leaders. José
Castañeda was recently elected to Salinas City Council, but he currently serves
on the Alisal Union School Board.
Government
Code Section 1099 states you must leave the original seat in order to take the
new one. Castañeda hasn't
done that and some of you have asked Central Coast News why. He's been on
the board for a decade now and for now there's nothing stopping him from
continuing his tenure.
On
Thursday, Central Coast News obtained a copy of the most recent letter
Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Kotowski said she sent to the
California Attorney General's office to make sure the state knows about Salinas
City Council Member and Alisal Union School board member José Castañeda.
Castañeda
told us he didn't have time to talk in person on Thursday night. But by
text message, he said he's still on both, despite the fact his boss at the Monterey
County Office of Education has been looking for his resignation since December.
"Giving
Mr. Castañeda every opportunity to look into the matter and make a
determination himself and since there hasn't been a resignation and there is a
question on the incompatibility of the offices, I have just notified the state
AG of the matter," Kotowski said.
Superintendent
of Schools Nancy Kotowski said she also sent Castañeda copies of the attorney
general's decision saying there's a legal concern holding who elected positions
within the same city. According to the Monterey County District
Attorney's office it's not legal. Now Kotowski said she's letting the
state take it from here.
"It
was a matter really to turn over to the study of the state attorney general who
has jurisdiction over that question to investigate," Kotowski said.
We
also investigated what he's getting paid two sit in both seats.
"Board
members receive a stipend and board members also receive benefits as part of
their part of the package they receive," said Alisal Union School District
Superintendent John Ramirez.
Ramirez
said board members are given a $240 stipend a month, along with the
benefits. But even though it's offered, Castañeda said right now he
doesn't take the stipend or the benefits.
As for the city council, Salinas Mayor Joe
Gunter said council members get $600 a month, a car allowance and benefits if
they decide to take them. Castañeda said he has a meeting about them
later this month.
Castañeda
said he championed the school boards decision to do away with lifetime benefits
for long-term board members about three years ago. We have calls into the
attorney general's office to find out how it plans to handle the case.
Media representatives said they are aware of the situation.
