Manchester Accepts Resignation Of Supt. Reichhart
May 10, 2017 at 7:43 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
Reichhart resigned Monday amid allegations he was bullying and intimidating his staff. Reichhart’s resignation will become effective June 30, and he will use his vacation days until then.
Reichhart will receive a one-year salary spread over two years for agreeing to resign in the middle of a three-year contract. His annual salary is $110,000, according to school board President Nathan Trump.
“I want to thank the board for listening to the community, reading our letters and meeting with both current and former staff,” said resident Laurie Zimmerman.
The allegations against Reichhart came to light after the events of the April board meeting.
A former sixth-grade teacher, Andrew Zimmerman, asked the board to reinstate him.
Zimmerman resigned under pressure after school officials became aware of a police call to Zimmerman’s house.
Zimmerman’s wife called police and said Zimmerman was suicidal and she was afraid he might hurt the children sexually, according to a 911 report from the North Manchester Police Department. No charges were filed.
Child Protective Services did not find any evidence to back up any claim of child abuse, parent Amber Isley said.
After many teachers and community members asked the board to reinstate Zimmerman, the board declined the request.
The failure to reinstate Zimmerman led to outrage on social media and several community meetings. A Facebook group called “We Are Manchester Strong” has more than 900 members.
“Andrew’s absence is felt at the school and in the community,” said employee Amy Grant.
During the community meetings, other former employees made similar accusations against?Reichhart.
Charlie Sines, a resident, said the group was acting like children. He outlined all of MCS’ accomplishments during Reichhart tenure including high test scores and U.S. News and World Report listing the high school as a top 50 Indiana high school in 2014.
“If you don’t like it, you can leave.” he said.
A standing-room only crowd was on hand for the meeting. Many in the crowd wore shirts that said “We are Manchester Strong.”
Isley, one of the organizers of the community group against Reichhart, said the shirts were a play on the Manchester Schools slogan “We are Squire strong.”
The shirts were made by Lisa Ulery, a former assistant principal at Manchester High School. Ulery has a pending a lawsuit against Reichhart for defamation of character. The lawsuit, filed in Wabash Circuit Court, alleges Reichhart made false statements regarding her resignation.
“I want to thank everyone for being here today. You have been heard. Be patient as we go through this transition,” Trump told the audience.
Isley says she still hopes that Zimmerman will be reinstated.
“We’ve come a long a way, but we still have a lot of work to do,” she said.
Isley said the school has pulled the vacant sixth-grade posting from its open job sites and Zimmerman was being strongly considered for the position.
Trump did not comment on the prospects of rehiring Zimmerman.
In other business:
• Brian Schilling was elected as school board vice president. Brady Burgess resigned his position Friday. Burgess cited family reasons as a reason for stepping down. Trump said the resignation was unrelated to recent controversy.
Residents who live in the Manchester Town District who are interested in the school board seat can submit letters of interest to the school office by 5 p.m. May 25.
The board will conduct interviews at 5:30 p.m. May 30 and will vote on a replacement at 5:30 p.m. May 31.
• The board unanimously approved to add a second classroom of transitional kindergarten.
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Reichhart resigned Monday amid allegations he was bullying and intimidating his staff. Reichhart’s resignation will become effective June 30, and he will use his vacation days until then.
Reichhart will receive a one-year salary spread over two years for agreeing to resign in the middle of a three-year contract. His annual salary is $110,000, according to school board President Nathan Trump.
“I want to thank the board for listening to the community, reading our letters and meeting with both current and former staff,” said resident Laurie Zimmerman.
The allegations against Reichhart came to light after the events of the April board meeting.
A former sixth-grade teacher, Andrew Zimmerman, asked the board to reinstate him.
Zimmerman resigned under pressure after school officials became aware of a police call to Zimmerman’s house.
Zimmerman’s wife called police and said Zimmerman was suicidal and she was afraid he might hurt the children sexually, according to a 911 report from the North Manchester Police Department. No charges were filed.
Child Protective Services did not find any evidence to back up any claim of child abuse, parent Amber Isley said.
After many teachers and community members asked the board to reinstate Zimmerman, the board declined the request.
The failure to reinstate Zimmerman led to outrage on social media and several community meetings. A Facebook group called “We Are Manchester Strong” has more than 900 members.
“Andrew’s absence is felt at the school and in the community,” said employee Amy Grant.
During the community meetings, other former employees made similar accusations against?Reichhart.
Charlie Sines, a resident, said the group was acting like children. He outlined all of MCS’ accomplishments during Reichhart tenure including high test scores and U.S. News and World Report listing the high school as a top 50 Indiana high school in 2014.
“If you don’t like it, you can leave.” he said.
A standing-room only crowd was on hand for the meeting. Many in the crowd wore shirts that said “We are Manchester Strong.”
Isley, one of the organizers of the community group against Reichhart, said the shirts were a play on the Manchester Schools slogan “We are Squire strong.”
The shirts were made by Lisa Ulery, a former assistant principal at Manchester High School. Ulery has a pending a lawsuit against Reichhart for defamation of character. The lawsuit, filed in Wabash Circuit Court, alleges Reichhart made false statements regarding her resignation.
“I want to thank everyone for being here today. You have been heard. Be patient as we go through this transition,” Trump told the audience.
Isley says she still hopes that Zimmerman will be reinstated.
“We’ve come a long a way, but we still have a lot of work to do,” she said.
Isley said the school has pulled the vacant sixth-grade posting from its open job sites and Zimmerman was being strongly considered for the position.
Trump did not comment on the prospects of rehiring Zimmerman.
In other business:
• Brian Schilling was elected as school board vice president. Brady Burgess resigned his position Friday. Burgess cited family reasons as a reason for stepping down. Trump said the resignation was unrelated to recent controversy.
Residents who live in the Manchester Town District who are interested in the school board seat can submit letters of interest to the school office by 5 p.m. May 25.
The board will conduct interviews at 5:30 p.m. May 30 and will vote on a replacement at 5:30 p.m. May 31.
• The board unanimously approved to add a second classroom of transitional kindergarten.
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