More than 150 parents and students carrying signs and posters showed up at a rally outside Oxford High School Tuesday night in support of Superintendent of Schools Judith Palmer, who has a job with the district at least until June 30.
Some at the rally called for the resignation of the current membership of the school board. Others called on the board to sit down and negotiate a fair contract with Palmer.
On May 19, the school board 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.
Board Chairwoman Rose McKinnon said at the time the board voted to void Palmer’s contract after it was reviewed by the board’s attorney Michael McKeon.
She said the board’s attorney said “language,’‘ in the contract was not legal and recommended the board void it.
Last weekend, the Republican-American of Waterbury, citing a letter from the school board’s lawyer, reported that Palmer’s contract was written so that it would be automatically renewed.
McKeon has not returned numerous calls for comment and it appeared that none of the school board members were at the rally. Palmer also was not at the rally.
“I just think what they did was dumb and selfish,’‘ said student Julia Low-Chappell, who held a sign that said, “Board of Education NOT.’‘
Low-Chappell said she has met the superintendent on her visits to the Great Oak Middle School where she is a seventh grader and really likes her.
Patty Severson, a former school board chairman, called the actions of the board, “unethical, unfair, cruel and destructive.’‘
She called on the board to sit down and give Palmer a performance evaluation before the end of the fiscal year. “She has been excellent and state-wide, she has been a positive educational force,’‘ she said.
Parent Nancy O’Hara said the actions of the school board amount to a “vote of no confidence,’‘ and said the board, “is not acting in the best interest of our town.’‘
Todd Orner, whose son is graduating from Oxford High this year, called the actions of the board, “crazy, ‘’ and added, “things are not right in Oxford. This should not be happening.’‘
First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers attended the rally.
“She (Palmer) and I have worked well with each other and she has always been positive and supportive,’‘ said Drayton-Rogers.
Drayton-Rogers is a Democrat. The majority of school board members are Republicans.
Palmer has been superintendent since 2002 and earns $134,444 a year plus a $6,722 annunity per year.
