By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Following a second closed session at the end of the regular board meeting July 15, Clare Board of Education President Loren Cole released a statement, citing an “employment issue” as the reason for an ongoing investigation using a third party. Superintendent Jim Walter II was placed on administrative leave at the same time (a month ago) but the investigation was not given as the reason for Walter’s being placed on the leave.
The statement in the unofficial minutes for the July 15 meeting said:
“After the Board resumed open session, Board President Loren Cole released the following statement: ‘On June 26th, 2024, the Clare Public Schools Board of Education held a special meeting to discuss an ‘employment issue’ that was brought to the Board’s attention. Following a closed session, the Board voted to hire a third party to investigate the matter. Superintendent Walter has been on leave during the investigation. The Board is hopeful for a prompt resolution to this matter and remains focused on providing the best possible environment for our students and staff.’”
Walter has now been on “administrative leave for nearly four weeks without any explanation from the board (until the unofficial minutes were posted) as to his whereabouts or why he was not available at the school. Questions were met with “Information is in the minutes of the meeting(s), but other than an explanation in the unofficial minutes for the closed sessions saying, “to review attorney-client privileged materials,” no information was released until the statement last week.
While the investigation is underway, High School Principal Matt Forsberg has the position of “interim superintendent,” according to an article in the Morning Sun. No other information has been released.
The July 15 meeting was a quiet one with only a few action items, and other items of business:
Amy (Nie) Sklenar was approved for employment as a Secondary Spanish Teacher for Clare High School and Middle School.
Following a second reading, changes to the Student Handbooks were approved.
The Board elections resolution was adopted regarding the election of four members to the Board of Education for four-year terms ending in 2028 in the November General Election.
Administrative reports were given.
A discussion was held about the upcoming Bond Election – specifically options to notify the public that the bond represents no increase in the current millage rate, and that the board is looking forward to safety improvements.
The BOE approved the purchase of a new school bus from Midwest Transit through the MSBO Bus Purchase Program.
Minutes of the Budget Hearing June 17; the regular meeting June 17; the Special meeting June 26; and the June 26 closed session were all approved.
Bills payable totaling $379,961.09 were approved.
