Troubling questions are what’s left after the Gilroy Unified
School District announced it would sever its employment
relationship with Michael Lyons, hired just six months ago as the
assistant superintendent for human relations.
Paying out more than $120,000 in tough economic times stings
Troubling questions are what’s left after the Gilroy Unified School District announced it would sever its employment relationship with Michael Lyons, hired just six months ago as the assistant superintendent for human relations.
Lyons, GUSD trustees disclosed after a three-hour closed session, reached a settlement agreement with the district. Under the agreement, which was reportedly signed Thursday, he would be placed on paid medical leave until Oct. 30, 2008 (nine months from now) at which time he would tender his resignation. Meanwhile, apparently he will be paid and receive full medical and retirement benefits. That will amount to roughly a $120,000 hit to our school district.
In a time of strained budgets, this stings even more than normal.
GUSD Board President Rhoda Bress has essentially declined to comment further, as has Superintendent Deborah Flores.
The public is due a thorough explanation of the circumstances
While the settlement was still in limbo that was, to a degree, understandable. But now the taxpaying public deserves as thorough an explanation as possible regarding why, within such a short period of time, this hiring has cost the community so much money and wasted time. And there’s plenty which should be disclosed about what went wrong in the process that should not be hidden behind the catch-all curtain of “it’s a personnel issue.”
Credibility and accountability in the community are at stake
Questions abound:
Was the district aware of the potential for lawsuits to be filed against Mr. Lyons and his former District, Stockton Unified, where he was in charge of special education? “The SUSD was well aware of Mr. Lyons’ issues at the time he was applying for the job (at GUSD),” Rob Waters, an attorney for four plaintiffs, told us. Hmmmm.
If GUSD wasn’t aware, why not? And if so, why was the hire made?
The search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates was hired to find and screen applicants for the job. Did they perform their required duties, what were GUSD’s expectations, and might the firm be conducting the search for a new HR assistant superintendent, when the time comes, free of charge? Or is a refund in order?
Under what part of the contract (now posted online at www.gilroydispatch.com) was Mr. Lyons terminated?
Hopefully, these and other questions related to this unfortunately short tenure for a highly paid, key administrator will be answered straightforwardly
Act now
Send an e-mail to Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Deborah Flores or Board President Rhoda Bress expressing your opinion at:
De***********@gu**.us
Rh*********@gu**.us
