JORDAN -- Wednesday night, the Jordan-Elbridge Central School Board listened to nearly two-and-a-half hours of public comment about a controversial administrative shake-up. It involves 5 administrators in total, that have been moved or removed from their positions.
Parents, students and former board members all took their turn at the microphone. There was plenty of emotion and calls for change in Jordan-Elbridge.
High School Principal David Zehner got some of the loudest shows of support in the auditorium. He was suspended from his position last month. The school board never gave a reason or a timetable for the suspension.
Current Superintendent Marilyn Dominick is retiring, two years before her contract is up. In all, there have been five changes in high ranking positions in the school district. Three of those moves have ended up in court cases.
Last week a State Supreme Court judge ruled the school board violated an open meetings law when it appointed Sue Gorton as interim superintendent in executive session. Click here to read the ruling.
Parents say none of the changes have been explained, and they are frustrated with the lack of information available. The board says it can't release information about personnel issues and pending disciplinary action. Board President Mary Alley did apologize, admitting the board has made mistakes and says it is working to fix them.
Tim Filkins is a former school board member and was at Wednesday's meeting.
"Many of you should know better than the way things have been headed. My simple statement: some of you should consider stepping down from the board."
Superintendent Dominick is retiring earlier than expected, she says more information about why she is leaving should come out in the coming days.
The board did take some action. Members decided not to appeal several court decisions that have gone against the school board, including the decision that the board violated the open meetings law when appointing an interim superintendent. They also approved a motion to terminate Anthony Scro as the School District Treasurer, and appointed Mary Madonna to serve as acting High School Principal in place of Zehner.
The board went into executive session about 10:15 Wednesday night, citing personnel issues.
Click to read the Marilyn Dominick letter and the Marilyn Dominick agreement.
