Warsaw Continues Superindent Search
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Former Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Dave McGuire's agreement with Warsaw Schools ends Jan. 13.
The search for a full-time superintendent to replace him continues today as a university team begins screening the applications Warsaw Schools received for the position. Ron Yeiter, current school board president, declined Thursday afternoon to comment how many applications were received. He did say he was pleased with the number of applications. Interviews with the candidates will begin in approximately 14 days.
On July 27, the Warsaw Community School Corp. school board voted 6-1 to accept the settlement agreement with, and resignation of McGuire, along with the statement concurrent with that. McGuire served WCS for 19 years, the last three as superintendent. During those three years, he oversaw the closing of three elementary schools - Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake - which divided the school corporation community.
On Aug. 2, by the same vote, the school board named Ralph Bailey interim superintendent.
McGuire's superintendent contract was to expire June 30, 2007, and he had an indefinite teaching contract. The agreement allowed his contracts to be terminated July 27, 2005, but McGuire remains with the school corporation as a consultant until Jan. 13, or until he finds full-time employment, whichever came first.
During the extended employment period, McGuire was to receive the same salary, retirement and insurance benefits to which he is entitled under his superintendent contract - approximately $64,000. No school corporation vehicle, credit cards, cell phone or other school properties were provided to him during the extended employment.
Yeiter said Thursday he had no information on McGuire's employment status elsewhere. "No one seems to know what's happening there," Yeiter said, but the school board hasn't been notified of McGuire receiving employment elsewhere. McGuire did not return calls seeking comment.
A complication with the superintendent search, Yeiter said, is that the replacement may have a contract with another school corporation.
"The sooner the better, but we can't determine that now," said Yeiter of a starting date for a new superintendent.
McGuire's agreement also states that in any action or threatened action against McGuire by a third person relating to the operation of the school corporation, the school corporation will pay legal defense and indemnify him against liability to the same extent as it would were he still superintendent at the time the action or threatened action is begun.
One such lawsuit stems from 2004.
Two longtime Warsaw Community School Corp. employees filed suit in August 2004 against the school corporation and superintendent for wrongful termination. Janet Helton and Mary Scott were fired by McGuire from their respective positions as personnel coordinator and payroll coordinator June 10, 2004.
According to information in the complaint - filed by Indianapolis attorney John Price - Scott's son was enrolled in a 2004 summer school economics class. Scott asked that her son be taught economics by a certified instructor. Scott checked with Helton, who oversaw the licensing of WCSC teaching staff, and discovered the license of the teacher scheduled to teach the economics class did not include teaching economics.
On June 1, 2004, Scott asked through an e-mail to a Warsaw Community High School guidance counselor that her son be transferred to another economics class, one taught by a teacher who teaches economics during the regular school year. The counselor forwarded Scott's request to Dr. Jennifer Brumfield, WCHS principal.
The lawsuit alleges Brumfield never contacted Scott, and Scott's son was not transferred to another economics class. Scott and Helton reportedly received written reprimands from McGuire, dated June 2, 2004, that were waiting for them when they arrived at work June 3.
The women were accused of breaching personnel confidentiality for private use. The women believed the reprimands were the result of a misunderstanding because all teachers' licenses and certifications are public records and are available on the Indiana Department of Education Web site.
The women returned to work. On June 10, according to the suit, McGuire and Rande Thorpe, then WCS finance manager, went to Helton's office and then Scott's office, terminating both women's employment.
Helton and Scott are seeking damages for wrongful termination, recovery for the humiliation or harm to their respective reputations, that their positions be returned, recovery of their financial losses, attorney fees and costs and any other equitable relief.
As of Thursday, Yeiter said that litigation is still pending. McGuire's legal fees in the matter will be covered by the school corporation because the suit was filed when McGuire was the superintendent with the school corporation. [[In-content Ad]]
Former Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Dave McGuire's agreement with Warsaw Schools ends Jan. 13.
The search for a full-time superintendent to replace him continues today as a university team begins screening the applications Warsaw Schools received for the position. Ron Yeiter, current school board president, declined Thursday afternoon to comment how many applications were received. He did say he was pleased with the number of applications. Interviews with the candidates will begin in approximately 14 days.
On July 27, the Warsaw Community School Corp. school board voted 6-1 to accept the settlement agreement with, and resignation of McGuire, along with the statement concurrent with that. McGuire served WCS for 19 years, the last three as superintendent. During those three years, he oversaw the closing of three elementary schools - Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake - which divided the school corporation community.
On Aug. 2, by the same vote, the school board named Ralph Bailey interim superintendent.
McGuire's superintendent contract was to expire June 30, 2007, and he had an indefinite teaching contract. The agreement allowed his contracts to be terminated July 27, 2005, but McGuire remains with the school corporation as a consultant until Jan. 13, or until he finds full-time employment, whichever came first.
During the extended employment period, McGuire was to receive the same salary, retirement and insurance benefits to which he is entitled under his superintendent contract - approximately $64,000. No school corporation vehicle, credit cards, cell phone or other school properties were provided to him during the extended employment.
Yeiter said Thursday he had no information on McGuire's employment status elsewhere. "No one seems to know what's happening there," Yeiter said, but the school board hasn't been notified of McGuire receiving employment elsewhere. McGuire did not return calls seeking comment.
A complication with the superintendent search, Yeiter said, is that the replacement may have a contract with another school corporation.
"The sooner the better, but we can't determine that now," said Yeiter of a starting date for a new superintendent.
McGuire's agreement also states that in any action or threatened action against McGuire by a third person relating to the operation of the school corporation, the school corporation will pay legal defense and indemnify him against liability to the same extent as it would were he still superintendent at the time the action or threatened action is begun.
One such lawsuit stems from 2004.
Two longtime Warsaw Community School Corp. employees filed suit in August 2004 against the school corporation and superintendent for wrongful termination. Janet Helton and Mary Scott were fired by McGuire from their respective positions as personnel coordinator and payroll coordinator June 10, 2004.
According to information in the complaint - filed by Indianapolis attorney John Price - Scott's son was enrolled in a 2004 summer school economics class. Scott asked that her son be taught economics by a certified instructor. Scott checked with Helton, who oversaw the licensing of WCSC teaching staff, and discovered the license of the teacher scheduled to teach the economics class did not include teaching economics.
On June 1, 2004, Scott asked through an e-mail to a Warsaw Community High School guidance counselor that her son be transferred to another economics class, one taught by a teacher who teaches economics during the regular school year. The counselor forwarded Scott's request to Dr. Jennifer Brumfield, WCHS principal.
The lawsuit alleges Brumfield never contacted Scott, and Scott's son was not transferred to another economics class. Scott and Helton reportedly received written reprimands from McGuire, dated June 2, 2004, that were waiting for them when they arrived at work June 3.
The women were accused of breaching personnel confidentiality for private use. The women believed the reprimands were the result of a misunderstanding because all teachers' licenses and certifications are public records and are available on the Indiana Department of Education Web site.
The women returned to work. On June 10, according to the suit, McGuire and Rande Thorpe, then WCS finance manager, went to Helton's office and then Scott's office, terminating both women's employment.
Helton and Scott are seeking damages for wrongful termination, recovery for the humiliation or harm to their respective reputations, that their positions be returned, recovery of their financial losses, attorney fees and costs and any other equitable relief.
As of Thursday, Yeiter said that litigation is still pending. McGuire's legal fees in the matter will be covered by the school corporation because the suit was filed when McGuire was the superintendent with the school corporation. [[In-content Ad]]