Tim Throne officially took over as superintendent of Oxford Schools on May 7 following a special board of education meeting the night before.
‘It’s earlier than what I anticipated, but I’m excited nonetheless,? Throne said.
Along with the 6-1 vote to approve Throne’s start, the board also rescinded its April 22 motion approving former Superintendent Dr. William Skilling’s role as a consultant until August 31.
The board accepted changing Skilling’s resignation date to June 30 and allowed for him to be available to Throne for ‘communication and consultation as deemed advisable? by Throne until June 30.
Trustee Joyce Brasington was the lone dissenting vote.
‘I think that Dr. Skilling could have his effective date of his resignation be June 30, but I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the district to have him available to be able to communicate with Tim,? she told the board.
Kallie Roesner-Meyers, one of the leaders of the local group TEAM 20, which has been questioning and challenging the district’s actions, disagreed with the pay.
‘Why would you continue on with his employment? Why would you continue on paying him,? Roesner Meyers asked. ‘He’s violated his contract with this community, he’s violated the board rules and the bylaws that you have.?
Eugenia Calocassides agreed.
‘I think a lot of the public trust has been violated. It’s been shown repeatedly. I think Mr. Skilling has violated the public trust. I think he’s violated the board trust,? she added. ‘I don’t see using taxpayer dollars to continue employing a man who has betrayed you and betrayed the public. You have plenty of information to let him go now.?
Throne explained Skilling is no longer officially employed by the district. He is only being paid for the remainder of his superintendent contract through June 30, which includes not only salary, but all benefits which were a part of his current contract. He said Skilling is there should he need him.
Throne used the example of attorneys.
‘We use different attorneys for different types of issues,? he explained. ‘It might be quicker for me to call Bill and ask him a question, then to dig through a bunch of paperwork to try and figure out who I need to contact and that kind of thing.?
Throne’s early start and Skilling’s early resignation have been surrounded by much controversy over the past few weeks in light of the resignation letter from school district Controller Fred Shuback and the recent departure of Former Chief Operations Officer Pam Anstey (“see Agreement made with Anstey to avoid suit” in this week’s edition).
‘I’m disappointed Dr. Skilling is leaving under this kind of controversy. There has been some incredible growth and contributions he’s made in his career here at Oxford,? Brasington said. ‘I’m sorry he’s leaving like this.?
Board Treasurer Dan D’Alessandro said he understood the public’s concerns.
‘As we go forward from here, I think it’s important that we all realize that none of us are perfect and I’m not claiming to be. I understand that the public asks us to do better and I will do my best to do better,? he said. ‘Regardless of your opinion of any one person, this district wouldn’t be where it’s at today without some of the initiatives that have been brought forward.?
Skilling in his final comments said he was ‘blessed beyond measure? to have worked for Oxford for the past eight years, and been a parent here as well.
‘I’m thankful for the education my three kids have received,? Skilling added. ‘My youngest son is graduating this year. He only spent one year in high school because of his medical condition. Our staff did what was necessary to get him through to see he graduated this year.?
He also gave thanks to Jim Gibbons, president of the teachers? union, and the relationship they’ve had the past eight years.
‘His leadership, probably more than any other single individual has helped this district prosper for the last eight years. We had a real family trusting relationship between our teacher leadership team and our administration team,? Skilling added. ‘When the times were really tough and the years were really bad economically, we strived through it all. We did very, very well.?
And finally, he addressed the public.
‘I know you don’t always agree with some of our decisions. You don’t agree with the international program. But it’s important to the future of our kids because we’re trying to prepare them for a world that exists versus a world that no longer exists,? he said. ‘I’m just grateful I got to be a part of that with the staff and want to say thank you.?
Throne is optimistic about the future.
‘Hopefully, I can bring some of that trust back to the district. I believe we (have) got some really good schools and some really good people,? he said. ‘I look forward to working with everybody and figuring out common solutions as we go forward and being open and communicating that with our public and our community, being honest with ourselves and what areas we need to work harder at.?