Manchester Schools Superintendent Resigns
May 9, 2017 at 7:09 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
Scott Bumgardner, business manager, confirmed Reichart stepped down Monday. The school board is expected to accept his resignation at the board meeting at 5:30 p.m. today.
Reichart’s resignation will be effective June 30. He will use his vacation days until then.
Bumgardner confirmed the superintendent ouster after canceling a special board meeting that had been scheduled for Monday.
Reichart’s resignation comes amid a controversy surrounding former sixth-grade teacher Andrew Zimmerman.
Zimmerman resigned after school officials were made aware of an incident involving police on March 16.
Zimmerman’s wife called the police. She said Zimmerman was suicidal and she was he afraid he might hurt their children sexually, according to a report from the North Manchester Police Department.
Zimmerman was taken to the Bowen Center for mental treatment. No charges were filed related to the incident.
At April’s board meeting, Zimmerman said he felt he had no choice but to resign, and asked the board to hire him back. Many teachers and supporters attended the board meeting and spoke on Zimmerman’s behalf. Teachers said they were throwing their support behind Zimmerman. Some of the teachers said they feared they would lose their jobs for supporting Zimmerman.
The board voted to accept Zimmerman’s resignation, with no discussion on his request.
The last board meeting opened a hornet’s nest of controversy of social media rants and community meetings. Many expressed concern about how school officials handled the situation, including allegedly bullying teachers into silence.
Bumgardner would not comment on whether the recent controversy had anything to do with Reichart’s sudden resignation.
Keri Koenig contributed to this article.
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Scott Bumgardner, business manager, confirmed Reichart stepped down Monday. The school board is expected to accept his resignation at the board meeting at 5:30 p.m. today.
Reichart’s resignation will be effective June 30. He will use his vacation days until then.
Bumgardner confirmed the superintendent ouster after canceling a special board meeting that had been scheduled for Monday.
Reichart’s resignation comes amid a controversy surrounding former sixth-grade teacher Andrew Zimmerman.
Zimmerman resigned after school officials were made aware of an incident involving police on March 16.
Zimmerman’s wife called the police. She said Zimmerman was suicidal and she was he afraid he might hurt their children sexually, according to a report from the North Manchester Police Department.
Zimmerman was taken to the Bowen Center for mental treatment. No charges were filed related to the incident.
At April’s board meeting, Zimmerman said he felt he had no choice but to resign, and asked the board to hire him back. Many teachers and supporters attended the board meeting and spoke on Zimmerman’s behalf. Teachers said they were throwing their support behind Zimmerman. Some of the teachers said they feared they would lose their jobs for supporting Zimmerman.
The board voted to accept Zimmerman’s resignation, with no discussion on his request.
The last board meeting opened a hornet’s nest of controversy of social media rants and community meetings. Many expressed concern about how school officials handled the situation, including allegedly bullying teachers into silence.
Bumgardner would not comment on whether the recent controversy had anything to do with Reichart’s sudden resignation.
Keri Koenig contributed to this article.
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