The
”
resignation
”
of Gilroy Unified School District Assistant Superintendent
Michael Lyons, complete with a likely $120,000-plus payout burden
for GUSD and settlement agreement, leaves a sour taste in our
mouths.
Search firm clean as a whistle, but district procedures need tightening
The “resignation” of Gilroy Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Michael Lyons, complete with a likely $120,000-plus payout burden for GUSD and settlement agreement, leaves a sour taste in our mouths.
After about six months on the job, Lyons has left with taxpayer money in hand and workload left behind to divide between other administrators, including Superintendent Deborah Flores.
Who’s at fault, and why?
The search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates is clearly not at fault. Though the company conducted an initial search for the district, all the candidates were rejected and the district took up the second search on its own. Despite this, HY&A has graciously agreed to conduct a search free of charge when the district begins to look again, likely in May.
Lawsuits filed in Stockton did not come to light until after hiring
Superintendent Flores, however, must shoulder some of the burden regarding the hire of Lyons, who is being sued related to his former employment with Stockton Unified School District. While this is a stain on her short record here, it is certainly not an indelible blot. Information about potential lawsuits was not known to Flores prior to the hiring. That said, it’s clear procedures need to be tightened. Flores says with conviction that she will personally conduct reference checks henceforth for high-level hires. Makes sense.
What else should happen?
The contracts for high-level hires have been improved under Flores but there is still need for revision. Specifically, contracts should include a standard probationary period of at least six months. A year would be preferable. Also, applicants should be required to sign a waiver allowing the district to freely check references beyond the scope of those listed on the resume.
A more rigorous process would have likely avoided this situation
Site visitations for assistant superintendent hires also make sense. It’s just simply not worth it to wind up in trouble and on the short end of the stick when hiring high-level, highly paid personnel.
It is likely something internal forced the superintendent’s hand in this matter, but that will not become clear unless there is some ancillary action.
We believe Superintendent Flores and the GUSD Board acted in the best interests of the district and community, but loathe paying a high-level administrator for not working.
A more rigorous process would likely have avoided this situation, and although the current process has worked, it clearly needs to be improved so that GUSD does not get fooled again.
Act now:
Send an e-mail to Superintendent Deborah Flores at administrator at:
De***********@gu**.us.
Download the settlement agreement at:
