On Jan. 18, the Board of Education took action on a personnel issue — with the approval of "Action 2839 (G) Termination."

The public might assume that Action 2839 (G) related to the termination of a kindergarten teacher at Marshall School who reportedly told her class that she was fired during the week prior to the Board of Education meeting. A parent speaking at the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 18 said that the teacher was forced to pack up her materials in front of her students. Of the termination, the parent said, "Our children were told before we were told."

When asked about the incident by Patch, the superintendent said he was unable to comment on this — or any other particular — personnel action, because of legal requirements.

What Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Osborne could say was this: "All personnel actions are unofficial and recommended until the Board of Education approves them."

Osborne explained some of the protocols around a teacher termination.

Osborne said administration makes personnel recommendation to the Board of Education which must then approve the action in order for it to take effect. The Board of Education does this at its regular monthly meetings. Only after action by the Board of Education is the district administration legally allowed to notify parents. 

In certain situations the superintendent may direct an employee not to report to work pending board action.

"It's challenging," said Osborne, "because the legal requirements around personnel actions restrict our ability to  share what really happened."

Editor's Note: The teacher referred to in the story was present at the meeting on Jan. 18. When contacted by Patch via email, she declined to comment.