CALHOUN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS APPEALING DISMISSAL DECISION TO KANAWHA CIRCUIT COURT

(10/30/2016)
Three former Calhoun School administrators are appealing a decision by the WV Public Employees Grievance Board that denied their reinstatement.

Administrators Carla Taylor, Kathryn Nichols and Bonnie Sands are appealing the decision in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

The three central office employees were dismissed in what was called a cost-saving reorganization plan developed by Superintendent Tim Woodward, those positions are now filled by other individuals.

The reorganization, which included an upward adjustment in supplements for for some staff, reduced the overall staffing by 1.5 positions, according to the ruling.

The Grievance Board decision said a 3-year deficit reduction plan presented by Woodward and approved by the board "contained no details about cost savings measures," referring to it as a list.

The appeal case maintains that the employees were dismissed contrary to law, a result of fraud or deceit that was arbitrary and capricious.

"The petitioners further contend that the reorganization of the Central Office was planned and implemented in an arbitrary manner without accomplishing the potential goal, which was to save the Board of Education sufficient amounts of money," says the appeal.

See ED-WATCH: WV GRIEVANCE BOARD RULES AGAINST FIRED CALHOUN SCHOOL EMPLOYEES - Board Office Reorganization Saved $55,000-$60,000 With $1.8 Million Deficit