Brandon Twp.- It was standing room only during Monday’s school board meeting, which drew roughly 300 people.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Belle Ann Elementary’s new gym, art and music rooms preceded the meeting, but the real draw for many appeared to be the opportunity to express opinions regarding Brandon Schools Superintendent Tom Miller.
Miller incited anger last month when he removed Michael Ferguson as Brandon High School principal. Less than two weeks later, he reinstated him, citing ‘miscommunication? and ‘philosophical differences? that ‘have now been addressed and resolved.? But at the school board meeting, it appeared not all issues have been resolved, as audience members applauded suggestions that the board not renew Miller’s contract.
The outcry Monday night against Miller began with Valerie Williams, a substitute teacher who was on the agenda to speak about AESOP, the automated system that substitutes use to get assignments and to which she is opposed. Williams soon voiced her displeasure with Miller, whom she said had told her that if she didn’t like it, she could sue him.
She asked the board if there was a way to cancel AESOP, and if there was a way to sanction Miller for his ‘arrogance,? drawing loud applause.
She was followed by high school students who in turn praised the board for the return of Ferguson and questioned Miller’s leadership. Then began a litany of comments from audience members who stepped to the lectern, armed with a microphone, to address the board.
Kathy Stockley presented the board with petition signatures she had gathered from people supporting the removal of Miller as superintendent. She accused Miller of forcing qualified and experienced people out of their jobs and replacing them with family and friends.
‘I expect the board not to extend his contract,? said Stockley.
Eileen Murphy agreed.
‘I don’t see how someone can come in the district and wreak such havoc in two-and-a-half years,? she said.
John Wood presented the board with a teacher survey he conducted that he says shows disdain for Miller and urged the board to ‘lose Mr. Miller.?
Hank Szlenkier suggested that Miller should have resigned long ago and if the boardmembers who had voted for Miller hadn’t changed their minds, then ‘maybe you should go, too.?
The anti-Miller comments drew applause. But comments supporting Miller drew their share of applause, too.
A Brandon transportation employee told Miller at the meeting, ‘You made us feel like human beings and we want to thank you for it.?
Debbie Allen, a union steward for the bus drivers for 20 years, told the audience, ‘As all of you stand in judgment, you should hope you have the facts. He has worked diligently to erase the debacle left by (Bart) Jenniches. Maybe not with teachers, but with the rest of the staff. There were stacks of grievances from Mr. Jenniches. Mr. Miller took care of them. The board should be commended.?
Wayne Wills spoke in support of both Ferguson and Miller.
‘Mike is always a doer and a man of action,? he said of Ferguson, and then speaking about Miller, said, ‘I’ve worked with six other superintendents. Unlike others, Mr. Miller has jumped in and taken the bull by the horns. He is now updating and moving buildings forward. Mr. Miller has done what he promised to do.?
He continued by adding that Miller did the right thing in reinstating Ferguson and then asked, ‘Is it so crazy to find forgiveness and reconciliation in the Brandon School District??
It appears some reconciliation may be about to come to fruition. Brandon Education Association President Steve Hendershott said Tuesday that union and administration representatives had reached a tentative agreement regarding teacher salaries for the 2008-2009 school year.
His announcement came after he told the board the previous night that teacher morale was the lowest he had seen it in 22 years, with staff upset over large class sizes, a lack of equipment and supplies, loss of recess, library, computer and physical education time for students, and a lack of promotion from within.
School board trustees and Miller did not comment during the meeting, but Board President Greg Allar said Wednesday the board was concerned with what the public had to say.
‘We heard from both sides of the aisle and I thought I heard a very passionate speech by Mr. Wills that sent a strong message to the community,? Allar said. ‘I believe he said that to err is human and to forgive is Christian. I agree with those sentiments.?
Allar noted the board will conduct a performance evaluation of Miller next month and will meet in closed session because it is a personnel matter.
‘We have to review what is available to all of us, but at the present time, we don’t plan to terminate the contract,? he said. ‘We are obligated by the letter of the law as well. Typically what happens in a performance evaluation is that a person is given an opportunity to correct inappropriate conduct.?
Allar adds that Miller performed satisfactorily last year.
Miller became superintendent of Brandon Schools in July 2005 and was given a 3-year contract, but each year he receives a positive evaluation, one year is added. He received positive evaluations in both 2006 and 2007 and he is now under contract until June 30, 2010. Miller currently receives an annual salary of $131,090.
Miller did not immediately return calls for comment.