On Wednesday, the chair of the West Ada School Board challenged Linda Clark’s version of recent events.
And confirmed one key piece of Clark’s account.
Five days after Clark resigned abruptly as superintendent of the West Ada district — and accused trustees of pushing her out — board chairwoman Tina Dean broke her silence. And at considerable length, with a statement weighing in at 1,127 words. And she took what she described as an unusual step, divulging details from closed-door negotiations between Clark and the board.
Click here to read Dean’s statement in full and for yourself. A few key points:
- Disputing Clark’s claim that she was offered a “pittance” to resign, Dean said trustees offered a $56,000 severance package. Trustees made the offer, said Dean, “primarily to put an end to what has become a distracting sideshow for the district.“
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Former West Ada superintendent Linda Clark Dean also challenged Clark’s claim that trustees had been “militating” for her ouster. “I want to make it clear that the Board has never demanded Dr. Clark’s resignation, though it has negotiated with her, discussing various options including, but not limited to, a mutually acceptable ‘exit strategy’ and a wide variety of options.”
- Dean essentially confirmed Clark’s claim that she was asked to stay on through Nov. 3, when voters will decide on a two-year, $28 million supplemental levy. “The board hoped to submit the levy to a vote in an atmosphere uncharged by controversy to the extent possible under the circumstances.”
In an interview with the Idaho Statesman Wednesday, Clark stuck by her story.
In more West Ada developments:
- Trustees have a special board meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. tonight. The board plans to appoint an interim superintendent and discuss the search for a permanent successor to Clark. (Check back at Idaho Education News Thursday for news from the meeting.)
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Assistant superintendent Barbara Leeds Assistant superintendent Barbara Leeds apparently doesn’t factor into the succession plan. On Wednesday, Leeds submitted a 36-word resignation letter to trustees. Leeds, a district employee since 1992, will step down effective Dec. 1.
