FMLA applies to health, including mental health, leaves. But there is no definite indication that this is under FMLA.

I dont' know if FMLA applies to a death in the family or not. It does apply to public employees. But any time off over accrued sick leave is unpaid time off.

So, the board agreed to pay him for the rest of the school year without knowing whether or not he'll return? This smells funny. If it's unpaid leave with an agreement that his job will still be there when he wants to return, I don't see an issue. But, it sounds like this is a paid leave situation without the district getting any indication he plans to return.

Abass, I don't think support for education in Milton necessitates unwavering support for the school board. I support the actual educators in Milton, and the students, but there are board members who I do not support. Unfortunately, until they resign their post or are voted out, they're part of the educational system. Doesn't mean I can't hope for the best, even while expecting nothing but the status quo from the good ol' boy network that still operates within some quarters of the school board.

Rob Roy - sir, your number is up. You have pacified and lied and done everything within your dillusional sense of power to get away from the issues in Milton. Your term is up soon. I am incredibly thankful for that fact.
This article stinks based on information provided by Roy and Garrow. Every ill thought out move and comment they make is worse than the one which came before.
For the past year I sit and smile when I see all the vehicles running around with the bumper stickers stating how the occupants support education in Milton. I always wonder if they all know what they are TRULY supporting?

Considering Garrow's e-mail has been completely shut down since he went on leave, this seems like more than just needing time to deal with the death of his father, timely though that might be for purposes of deflecting attention from the real reason he's been gone. The school board can hide behind closed sessions, but people DO know the truth. Garrow's leave should not be paid, and if he ever does come back he won't have the respect of staff. The board needs to cut its losses and move on with new leadership.

Can you imagine
what they would be saying
if a teacher pulled this?

Let him pursue his dreams,
but not on the taxpayer's dime.

Stubby, I am not absolutely familiar with FMLA, but I thought that these two things were true: 1) FMLA could be taken regarding a seriously ill family member (or oneself), but not for matters regarding a deceased one and 2) it covers private sector employees, not public sector ones. I don't know what the school system's bereavement policy is like; my private sector one is 3 paid days for immediate family and 1 paid day for certain extended family. I agree those days would be needed to manage immediate processes regarding services, and certainly would not begrudge them to anyone. And extended unpaid leave to deal with matters also would be acceptable to me. But I am concerned about extended paid leave if it is only to deal with personal matters because most taxpayers would not get paid for a comparable reason. Full disclosure: I have probably been one of Dr. Garrow's most open critics for his administrative practices. But I would still be critical of such a lengthy PAID leave (not including banked PTO/vacation) for personal matters for anyone who is in public service because we now need an interim person who will also be getting paid - therefore, one for the price of two, which is not acceptable.

Joy - FMLA does apply here, at least for a limited time. It is hard to judge another for how they grieve. I have lost loved ones (including my father) and for me work (after 3 days off of paid vacation time) was part of my process of return to normalcy. Some may have criticized me for not grieving enough or taking enough time off. So I cannot criticize anyone for their grieving process. If Garrow needs this time to heal and get himself back on track, then, IMHO, take that time, and with my blessing. However, to expect that time to be fully paid beyond whatever vacation and FMLA time he has coming would be excessive. I wonder if the Milton Board, if they are being this generous, will extend this same courtesy to other employees who suffer a loss?

----

Or could it be, perhaps, that this is just a "cover story". Why would the board meet 5 times in the past 2 months to evaluate any employee? Something seems a bit off here......

Look, I lost two parents and a mother-in-law within 4 months 2 years ago. My private sector employee did allow me to work reduced hours for which I was grateful (for reduced pay and increased cost in benefits, though I did at least keep my benefits for which I was also grateful). Despite the fact that I did and do feel like life is too short, the dream I have to pursue every day is supporting myself and my family, and therefore I am back to work full-time after getting through managing estate matters. If I had inherited all kinds of money, maybe I would think I didn't need to work and could pursue other "dreams," but that is not how it is in my case. And in any case, pursuing my dreams would be on my own time and dime.

yada and jax, why do you believe coments should be disabled? This isnt a crime article, at least not yet. If he is paid for leave till june, then I would consider it a crime. My condolences to you and family. This might sound a bit cold hearted but life may be short, the world wont stop because your father past away. Someones loved ones die every day, you arent the first and wont be the last. Resign or get your butt back to work Garrow.

Something is not right here. Why would the BOE pay for nearly a year of absence and not specifically say WHY? We would like some answers Mr. Roy. After all, isn't it the "tax payers" that are paying his salary? If Mr. Garrow can't do the job (for whatever reason), he needs to resign and let someone (who can do the job), take over. Without some legitimate answers Mr. Roy, I can see no reason to keep you on the Board of Education.

I agree with oldvet. We deserve to know whether it's paid, and if it is, is that because it's contractually required.

C'mon, Gazette. A simple open records request on payroll should tell everyone pretty quickly if it is a paid or unpaid leave. If the Board wants to stonewall, then get a ladder. While I won't judge a person's reason to request a leave or how they grieve the loss of a parent, I think an 8-month paid leave after just 16 months on the job would be excessive.

Oh and please excuse me now, I have to cast my moral and ethical obligations aside to pursue my dreams now... And I expect to get paid while I find myself. (Wasn't the pursuit of an administrative education and career a dream at one point too?) Unbelievable. Great role model you are for your kids and students, Garrow. Resign and do the right thing!!

That is unacceptable. You are in charge of a school DISTRICT not a daycare. Take responsibility Garrow and school board. The taxpayers aren't ignorant or uniformed on the real issues here. Milton had a very positive reputation for excellence in teachers and education which has slowly deteriorating at the hands of uncaring, substandard leadership (Garrow and principals). Great teachers are now only doing what is required of them, their passion for the profession has fallen virtually extinct. And rewarding poor performance with an unexplained and awkward reason is an insult to your supporters, not to mention your educators. Do what is expected of you: put students first: break the contract and get a superintendent who puts our district above ego. Unacceptable Mr. Roy and board regardless of how long a debate you had over it in "closed session."

Yada - agreed.

"He wouldn't say whether Garrow’s leave has been paid since Oct. 15, and whether Garrow would be on paid leave the rest of the year."

Paid leave or not paid leave? Taxpayers have a right to know.

Probably best to close comments here.