The controversy over a shake-up in the Jordan-Elbridge School District found its way into a courtroom in Syracuse Wednesday.
Suspended High School Principal David Zehner claims the School Board violated the open meetings law when it appointed Sue Gorton as Interim Superintendent behind closed doors in July.
The district's lawyer, Frank Miller told State Supreme Court Judge Donald Greenwood that the board discussed the appointment in executive session, but will not formalize the appointment until it meets October 6th. Miller called the decision by the district to put out a news release announcing Gorton's appointment, a "mistake."
Zehner is one of five administrators caught up in a high level shake-up in the district. Zehner claims he was suspended for claiming the district violated the open meetings law.
Miller calls that assertion "absolutely false" but says he can not discuss the reasons Zehner was suspended with pay.
Judge Greenwood said he will make a decision on whether Jordan-Elbridge School Board violated the open meetings law by Friday. Last week, Judge Greenwood determined the board violated the freedom of information law and ordered it to release the severance agreement that will allow current superintendent, Marilyn Dominick to retire two years early.
Attorney Miller revealed this morning that the district is withholding the release of the severance agreement until the School Board formally decides whether to appeal Greenwood's decision.
