One month before the new school year begins, the Board of Education finds itself with a slew of administration openings, including the superintendent’s position.
Dr. Judith Palmer Tuesday accepted the superintendent’s position for the Region 7 school district in the northwest corner of the state. Her first day there will be Aug. 16.
The board voided Palmer’s contract in May over a legal technicality and has since extended her contract in order to have the time to complete her evaluation.
Last week the board extended it to Aug. 13, the date of its next regular meeting.
It was only about a week ago that board members learned that Palmer was vying for the Region 7 position, board member Paula Guillet said Wednesday.
“I believe they found out last week,” she said. “They didn’t know before that.”
Calls to Palmer, board chairman Rose McKinnon and vice-chairman William Neary were not returned Wednesday.
The board will likely get an interim superintendent on board before beginning the search for a permanent replacement, said Guillet, a Democrat who was a vocal supporter of Palmer. As the controversy continued, she often wore shirts to board meetings expressing support of the superintendent.
She blames Palmer’s exit on people playing politics.
“It’s all political and it’s all about winning,” she said. The Republicans who control the board clearly didn’t want Palmer leading the district, she said.
“It’s awful that they play political games with children’s futures and with someones livelihood,” she said. “Hopefully, [Palmer] won’t ever have to deal with it again.”
But she wishes Palmer only the best, Guillet said.
“I’m not surprised at all and certainly understand Judy’s decision,” she said. “I’m happy for her personally but sad for Oxford.”
In addition to a new superintendent, the board is also searching for a new business manager and a new principal for Oxford High School.
Business Manager Al Pullo resigned in June, and principal Frank Samuelson retired shortly after the first Oxford High School graduating class received their diplomas that same month.
The board last month voted to hire a temporary business manager but has not yet addressed the vacancy at the high school. School is scheduled to begin Sept. 1.
Guillet said she wants to serve on any committee that is charged with the superintendent’s search. And much will be expected of whomever is chosen, she said.
“They will have some big shoes to fill,” she said.
Im sure the Mrs Guillet bashing will begin…..too bad you cant speak your mind in Oxford without getting trampled upon. I, for one, applaud her efforts and am proud of the fact that she stood her ground!
Wow, what a great headline from this “paper”
GOP drove Palmer Out. Hmmm. Two Democrats voted Palmer’s contract null and void. Did you mention that Mr. Editor?
Actually the headline reads “Guillett: GOP Drove Palmer Out.”
That’s a Headline?
Did any other board members get asked about this Kate/Eugene? I did not get a call. Does Kate have a direct line to Paula?
Hi Mike,
Kate lists who didn’t return calls in the story. I was under the impression, based on our e-mail exchanges, that you no longer wanted to be called for comment because you were advised we are biased.
Macchio…you can’t have it both ways!
In one breath, you say they are biased and don’t call you for a response (I thought your boss McKinnon said she speaks for the whole BOE and nobody else should) and in the other breath, when parents ask you for a response, you ignore them and say “Attorney Client Privilge”.
So you get mad when you can’t speak what you want to say and then ignore others. Stop whining and start fixing the mess you and the rest of the BOE has created.
I was hoping Guilette was going to resign also after all that unprofessional demonstrations she has shown throughout this whole ordeal.
She may as well take Mr.Reed with her, as all he will be is an obstructionist installed by MAD-R Even the voters did not want him on the board. Talk about political appointments made with no regard to whats good for the town.
Palmer got the last laugh on you SOS people.
It is my guess she applied for her new job months before all this started, but you’ll never know and she probably will never tell you.
Keep up the good work BOE members the people are still behind you thousands strong.
The SOS complainers now have egg on their faces duped by Palmer.
Mike, I would be very happy to talk to you for comment. You can email me your contact info at kateramunni@sbcglobal.net
Thank you.
Ms. Guillett if you are so unhappy with the BOE on which you serve, perhaps it is time for you to resign your position. The lashing out you have done throughout this entire controversy has set a poor example for our children.
Carol, did the BOE threaten and harass Dr. Palmer in any way? Did they threaten her livelihood? They merely didn’t give her an automatic pass on her contract. Every other staff member in the district is evaluated, why would the person at the helm be allowed to sail by each year. Who said she was a valuable employee? Have you been reading about some of the problems in the district under her leadership? I would venture to guess, as Mr. Spruck as said, there are many issues we don’t know about. I also believe there must be a reason that the overall vast majority of the staff has remained mum on the issue all of this time. I don’t believe it is fear of the BOE, but fear of their immediate supervisor…Dr. Palmer. If Dr. Palmer was so confident that she had done a great job in Oxford, why did she seek employment elsewhere? It seems to be a slap in the face to those who supported her in Oxford.
If she was such a fantastic Supt., why did she leave her previous district before coming to Oxford under such questionable circumstances? Have you read newspaper articles surrounding how she left her last district? Do we know how her staff felt about her? Perhaps you might want to search back in the archives as I did…
Lies 24/7
Yes all board members have the right to their opinion that is why they have discussions at the meeting.
Paula Guillet goes beyond that, name any other BOE member that shouts out,acts unprofessional,and makes a spectacle of herself?I have heard of no threats against her and if they exist they do not come from any Republicans that I know. Why are not the police involved?
She is part of the problem not the savior of the democrats.I hope Mrs. McKinnon does not pick her or Reid for any hiring selection committee.
Lisa Hellauer is an Independent, not a Democrat.
Lisa M. Hellauer D 11/17/09 to 11/19/13 Taken from Oxford’s website under elected officials
Either The web committee got it wrong or she left the party like Kathy Johnson supposedly did.
Board of Education
Rose A. McKinnon R 11/20/07 to 11/22/11
Karen Y. Kelly R 11/20/07 to 11/22/11
*Kevin B. Reid D 11/03/09 to 11/22/11
(* means installed by MAD-R)
John P. Lavin R 11/03/09 to 11/22/11
William J. Neary R 11/17/09 to 11/19/13
Michael P. Macchio R 11/17/09 to 11/19/13
Lisa M. Hellauer D 11/17/09 to 11/19/13
Paula A. Guillet D 11/17/09 to 11/19/13
Theodore P. Oczkowski D 11/17/09 to 11/19/13
24/7 sounds a lot like Mr. Hellauer. Ms. Guillet being the most senior member but is that a claim to fame for the democrats? I would not be happy to have her as my spokesperson. Besides senior just means career politician. Thank goodness for some new blood.
Brett, there is a difference between saying that certain things in executive session are ethically not to be discussed and not being asked for comment for any situation but I’m sure that does not make sense to you. The mess you speak of was caused by the previous board and we are left to clean it up. I expect reporters to report the situation objectively not just one side that is not whining. The media is how people get their information and therefore if only one side is reported the citizens are not properly informed on the issues.
lies 24/7
you obviously never heard of Roberts Rules look them up, then got to any meeting anywhere and try talking about anything not on the agenda. Won’t happen.
If someone is unruly and out of order that meeting has to be controlled by the chair and they have the last word before the offender is removed or made to be quiet.
Goes back to being professional, there are way of putting thing on the agenda or talking to the panel.
24/7, let’s be honest, the one board member that changed their mind after the contract vote only did so because she got grilled by her husband when she went home not because she was tricked by anyone. Is that political?
so….11/22/11…..the end of an error
Tired38 always political.. who cares about the next election except you politicians. There will be a lot of change for the good by then. 24/7 are you for real? You basically are saying that the Chairman should be psychic or something. Agenda items are always posted in advanced and outstanding items are not discussed until after audience of citizens. It is a stretch to say that what will be later brought up under outstanding items or old business unless specifically listed can be considered.
Im not being political…..I am just stating that change is good…as you have reminded us so many times…..11/22 cant come fast enough for CHANGE