Milton School Board could name interim superintendent
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Michael S. Garrow
MILTON — The Milton School Board could hire an interim superintendent as early as next week to fill the role of absent Superintendent Mike Garrow.
Board President Rob Roy confirmed that the board has an unnamed "consensus candidate" for interim superintendent and could agree on a contract for that candidate at a meeting Monday. The board met in closed session this week to discuss the position.
Garrow is on an "approved administrative leave of absence" through June 30. He has been on leave since Oct. 15. Roy confirmed Monday that Garrow is being paid during the leave.
Roy said the board likely will vote on a contract for interim superintendent Monday as part of the district's staffing report. At that time, he indicated the board would release the person's name.
Roy told The Gazette that several district employees applied to be interim superintendent. Roy declined Tuesday to identify the "consensus candidate," saying he wanted to wait for the board to reach a contract agreement and notify other candidates.
He said the contract would run through June 30, which marks the end of the budget year.
It's unclear whether Garrow will return to the district after his leave.
Roy said it's not known whether the board could extend the interim superintendent's contract or begin a new superintendent search if Garrow does not return after June 30.
"At that point, or at some point in the future, we'll have to decide if we need to do anything further," Roy said.
Central office staff and administrators are dividing up Garrow's work. Roy said they are not being paid extra.
The district has released few details about Garrow's leave since he last worked Oct. 15 after his father's death and amid several closed sessions on his employment.
The district, Garrow and the board have been mum on whether Garrow's leave involves a disciplinary or work performance issue. Garrow has said the leave has allowed him to deal with his father's death and "pursue his dreams."
The Gazette last week filed an open records request with the district seeking Garrow's contract, performance evaluations and details of his leave. Roy said the board has learned that Garrow plans to file addendums to those materials by Monday.
Roy said he's been dealing with Garrow's attorney over the records request and has not spoken directly with Garrow.
Under law, Garrow has five days from receiving a request for his personnel records to add additional information for rebuttals.
It remains to be seen what materials will be released. Garrow could mount a legal challenge to block all or parts of the open records request, Roy said, although he said he considers that move "unlikely."
Nov 23, 2012 at 1:18 p.m.
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How can we pay 2...thats wrong when this lie is a giant school board screw up to begin with. Why do we have to pay double for Garrows indiscresions. This needs to go to the state and get them involved and straighten this gigantic "Mess" out and punish those who have put the taxpayers in this possition.
Nov 22, 2012 at 8:14 p.m.
Nov 22, 2012 at 5:20 p.m.
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It would seem they should have named an interim supervisor when they knew the leave was going to be extended.
Nov 22, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
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It would appear to the outside observer that MSD is in the process of firing the Supt. How is what is happening now different than if they fired him today and had to buy out his contract? Except that this way makes the school board look really bad?
Nov 22, 2012 at 11:28 a.m.
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In approximately 6-7 closed session meetings the parents, community members, and tax payers know very little as to what the elected school board members are working towards. There seems to be no stated goal except, what I consider, a complete rush to develop a contract and name a candidate for interim super. While I am not against appointing an interim, the board needs to provide complete transparency as to the details of the contract. I find it interesting that the board operates in a way in which they themselves are allowed to make the decision without public input. In many districts outside the state of Wisconsin the position of superintendent of schools is an elected position. I don't ever forsee that happening here which is a shame. I do not know that the current board is capable of making fiscally and morally sound decisions for the students of the district nor the
taxpayers. This whole "self-appointing because we want to do what WE want to do" needs to go right out the door. There is not a way to make everyone happy in this situation - that is an acceptable fact. But, per usual in Milton, it is all about making things look good regardless of the actual ability to be operable. For years many taxpayers have been accepting of the school board "moving the cheese". Board members: I think we all realize now the cheese has gone bad. The mice aren't accpeting it as will be shown starting with the next set of elections due in spring.
Nov 22, 2012 at 8:05 a.m.
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I am not sure but i do believe that the cost of taking this case to court would cost far more then just pay the man off for the remainder of the yr. If someone else knows different let me know.
Nov 22, 2012 at 6:12 a.m.
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Tell me again why you elected this board? Paid leave to " follow his dream"? It shouldn't be too hard to find someone to get in line for that cushy job in Milton. Most people in the real world get 3-5 days off for bereavement, at the most. And if you want to follow your dream you do it on your own dime, not the taxpayers.
Nov 21, 2012 at 10:49 p.m.
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OK so now that this has been done what do we do next? Dose anyone agree we should find out what Mr. Garrow intentions are if he will retun to the job hee is being paid for or if he intends to leave? Dose anyone agree at all Milton should at least see what the options are for next year so were not rushing this and making the wrong choice. Reason I ask is I am thinking about the kids in the Milton school district and the promise the Mr. Garrow made to make sure the students have what they need to have a successful education while in the Milton School District. Milton alumni class of 1988 Milton High School
Nov 21, 2012 at 9:57 p.m.
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It is clear now that common sense is not being used but someone either has an attorney or disciplinary investigation or both on their side because otherwise this would not be allowable.
Nov 21, 2012 at 8:56 p.m.
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It sure is good to know that that Milton Board of Education has funds to hire an interim Superintendent AND pay the existing Superintendent too. I sure am glad that that excess money isn't going to hire additional teachers, which according to recent disclosures, are needed due to overcrowding. When is common sense ever going to be used?
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