Judy Palmer is still superintendent of schools.
For now.
Last week the Board of Education met until midnight and voted to void Palmer’s contract with the school district. The board agreed to pay her salary and benefits through the end of the fiscal year, which ends on June 30.
A message seeking comment was left with Palmer.
Board Chairwoman Rose McKinnon said the board voted to void Palmer’s contract after it was reviewed by the board’s new attorney, Michael McKeon.
She said the board’s attorney said “language’‘ in the contract was not legal and recommended the board void it.
She did not specify what areas of the contract are deemed illegal.
McKinnon did say that Palmer’s performance would be up for review by the board’s personnel subcommittee. She declined to speak further on the matter and referred questions to McKeon, who did not return numerous phone calls.
On May 19, the board met in executive session at 8:40 p.m. to discuss Palmer’s contract and did not emerge until 11:45 p.m.
The meeting finally ended at midnight on May 20. In the board’s 7 – 2 vote, it was decided to revoke or rescind Palmer’s contract as void, effective immediately.
The board also voted to continue her employment through June 30, 2010, unless the board decides to extend her employment beyond that date.
Her salary and benefits will be the same as she is now earning. The board also voted to send Palmer a written notification of the board’s decision.
Palmer did not attend the meeting.
Board member Paula Guillet, who voted against voiding the contract, said she did not see anything illegal in the contract and disagreed with the
opinion of the attorney.
First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers did not return calls seeking comment on the board’s decision.
Palmer, who is entering her eighth year as superintendent here, earns $134,44 in salary and earns a $6,722 annuity.
She also gets 30 days vacation, 20 sick days, three personal days and a $3,600 a year allowance for her car, according to her contract. She also has a right under
contract to ask for a hearing.
She took over the helm of the school system from former superintendent Michael Abdalla.
