EDC schools superintendent resigns

By Kathryn Reed

PLACERVILLE – The El Dorado County board of education today unanimously accepted Superintendent Jeremy Meyers’ resignation.

Meyers had not been to work since his last driving under the influence arrest on Nov. 5.

He oversees education in a county that for the students and staff there is a zero tolerance policy for drugs, which includes alcohol.

Jeremy Meyers when he was booked Aug. 22.

Meyers’ DUI arrest this month was the second in a five-month span. According to the California Highway Patrol his blood alcohol level was 0.19 percent. He was arrested in the middle of a workday after crashing his truck.

The first incident was June 5; also in the middle of a weekday. The 45-year-old pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges that resulted in a sentence of five days on home arrest. He collected his nearly $200,000 during that time and still was until today.

Deputy Superintendents Ed Manansala and Robbie Montalbano issued this statement, “This resignation allows the county office of education, the staff and board, to move forward.”

Details about the separation agreement have not been released.

It is up to the board to replace Meyers. Because Meyers is an elected official the board could not just remove him.

This was the second meeting the board convened to discuss Meyers. No action was taken at the Nov. 7 meeting. Meyers did not attend either meeting.

Three of the about 30 people at the Nov. 16 meeting spoke before the board went into closed session; all wanting Meyers to be removed from office in some manner.

Harry Norris, who was on the board for 10 years, suggested the board make Meyers’ salary $1 a year if he does not leave voluntarily.

Steven and Jackie Neau who live on the West Slope said their needs to be consequences for Meyers’ actions.

“I think he should be asked to resign. If that doesn’t happen, I’m willing to start a recall,” Steven Neau told the board.

Meyers was appointed by the school board to the position effective July 1, 2013. He was taking over for Vicki Barber who retired. At the time Meyers was the deputy superintendent. In June 2014 he ran unopposed for a four-year term.