NORWICH – Embattled Norwich Middle School Principal Lisa Schuchman, who was up for tenure in July, will have to wait another year as the board decided to extend her probation period from July 18, 2008 to July 17, 2009.

Following a brief executive session Tuesday, the Norwich City School Board announced the extension of Schuchman’s probationary period to a capacity crowd in the Eaton Center boardroom.

In February, a group of 19 teachers and support staff at the middle school made public their allegations of a hostile working environment under Schuchman’s auspices.

An opening statement read by Board President Robert Patterson notified the public of the board’s decision to have the matter handled by Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan. “We are deeply concerned with the matter, and we want the best for the students,” said Patterson.

Patterson said the board was aware of the concerns being addressed, adding that the majority of the complaints against the administrator were not brought up prior to receiving the letters in January.