OXFORD – The Oxford Board of Education met on Tuesday night to decide whether or not to grant High School Principal Christine Pierce tenure.
At last week’s board meeting, more than 20 teachers, students and community members spoke out in support of Pierce. In light of their statements, the board decided to hold off on a decision until yesterday.
The board entered executive session to discuss Pierce’s contract at 6 p.m. At 6:50, members returned and approved the personnel consent agenda. A member of the community asked the board to read each of the items approved. Two of those items involved Pierce.
Board President Robin DeBrita announced that the board accepted a letter of resignation from Pierce in the tenure area of school administrator, effective June 16, 2009. Pierce was then appointed to a new tenure area as high school principal, with a three year probationary period, in effect until June 16, 2012. The move will give Pierce three more years to be granted tenure. DeBrita explained that tenure could be granted at any time during that period, with a letter of recommendation from Superintendent Randall Squier.
The board also accepted a letter of resignation from Middle School Principal Kathleen Hansen from the tenure area of school administrator. Hansen was appointed to a new tenure area as building principal, with a three year probationary period. The board had previously granted Hansen tenure effective July 31; however, a new resolution was passed to grant her tenure in the new area.
Following the announcement, several people addressed the board. Darryl Lanning asked why Pierce couldn’t be given tenure now. “I think the recommendation should be made. I don’t think she should have to wait,” Lanning said.
DeBrita explained that the board did not have a recommendation for Pierce’s tenure. “I’ll make a recommendation,” said High School Math Teacher Ralph Rathbun. “I think she has done her job well enough for the last three years. This just delays it for three more years. If she deserves it now, she should get it now.”
DeBrita said she could appreciate that, but it is not the process.
Former Principal James Podraza discussed the timing of the board’s recent issues with Pierce. “I attended the budget meetings, and at that time, it seemed there was no issue as far as the high school principal was concerned. Then weeks later, all this turmoil comes up. The question I had was the timelines of all this,” Podraza said. He said legally, the board may only need to give the principal a certain number of days, but ethically, they should allow someone enough time to find a new position, if they are not going to be granted tenure. “Now I hear that she is resigning her position and you’re granting her three more years in a non-tenured status in a different tenure area. I know she has the support of the staff, but if her performance is not exemplary, why give her three more years? Something doesn’t seem right about all of this,” Podraza said.
Community member Valeda MacDonald expressed concerns that the opinions of the community were falling on deaf ears. “We had a discussion in the community. People have spoken out about how they feel and the board ignored that. How many people stood up and said wonderful things about that woman?” MacDonald asked.
High School Teacher Chris Palmer spoke on behalf of the 20 teachers in the room. “There were over 20 staff members at the meeting last week, and there are between 15 and 20 here tonight,” Palmer said. “On behalf of the high school staff, we continue to offer our support for our high school principal due to the many attributes listed last week. ... We feel she should have been tenure and we believe she should have tenure as soon as possible,” Palmer said.