In a tumultuous turn of events, the board of Adams County School District 14 voted narrowly Tuesday night to explore an “exit strategy” for its superintendent and unanimously to accept the resignation of a high school principal.
The first move, which passed by a 3-2 vote, allows legal counsel to have discussions for a potential separation with Superintendent Susan Chandler, a district spokesman said, adding that Chandler was not available for comment.
The Commerce City-based district, which has more than 7,500 students, has heard from unhappy parents, students and staff for some time, said board member Larry Quintana, who introduced the motion for the exit strategy.
He did not offer reasons for the action beyond citing a sense from stakeholders that the administration didn’t respond to their concerns and fostered an atmosphere of intimidation.
One teacher at Adams City High School, Shane McArdle, submitted a letter at the board meeting that referred to a “culture of fear and paranoia.”
“It’s not as if it’s a done deal and the superintendent is out,” said Quintana. “A lot of things have to take place between now and a final decision.”
A move to possibly part ways with Chandler was broached unsuccessfully a year ago, Quintana added.
The procedural maneuver to bring the issue to a vote this week — Quintana amended the agenda at the start of the meeting to include the proposal — caught some board members by surprise, including president and Chandler supporter Jeannette Lewis. “Do I know why it happened? No,” she said. “I’ll just say I didn’t support it last evening, I don’t support it today, and I won’t support it tomorrow.”
The board did vote 5-0 to accept the resignation of Adams City High School principal Wesley Paxton, who posted a letter on the school website that referred to his “heavy heart” at leaving but did not detail the reasons.
Paxton did not return a call seeking comment.
There is no timetable to resolve the issues, although Quintana said he hoped things would be settled before the 2011-12 school year begins.
Kevin Simpson: 303-954-1739 or ksimpson@denverpost.com
