CAT Tracks for May 14, 2003 HE'S BAAAAAAAAAAACK!

Reports of Carl Riley's demise as Cairo High School Principal were grossly exaggerated...

The Cairo Board of Education held a Special Meeting on Tuesday night to discuss "Personnel Issues and Employee Dismissal". Carl Riley brought a lawyer...the District tried to trump with two...BOTH Barney Mundorf and Gene Hanson. (Cha-Cha-Ching!)

George Floyd, an administrator at Shawnee Community College and President of the Meridian School Board, spoke to the Cairo BOE on behalf of Carl Riley. George stated that he and Carl had been classmates and that he had known him as a competent and dedicated administrator with the Meridian School District and as an asset to the Meridian School Board. He stated that the firing of a man with 38 years of successful educational experience - two months prior to his retirement - was unwarranted. He asked that the Cairo Board reinstate Mr. Riley to his position with full salary and benefits.

The Cairo Board then voted to go into closed session at 6:27 p.m.

For the next two-and-a-half hours, Barney and Gene beat a path between the Board room and Mrs. Williams' office (where Carl and his lawyer were stationed).

At 8:57 p.m., the Board exited closed session.

Board President Joe Griggs asked for a motion to approve the settlement agreement reached between the BOE and Mr. Riley. The motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. The Board then voted to adjourn at 8:59 p.m.

Since CATs are curious creatures...I inquired as to whether Mr. Riley would be back at CHS on Wednesday as principal. The answer...YES!

POSTSCRIPT: For once, the District wisely "cut its losses"...choosing NOT to pursue a costly course of action...an action that was grossly "over the top". Unfortunately, that is NOT the case with another long-term (34-year) employee with nothing but excellent ratings and a reputation for competence and dedication...fired for "failing to paperclip" and "abandoning her job" by going into the hospital. For that reason, Julie Newell's attorneys (paid for by IEA union dues) will be filing lawsuits THIS WEEK to right the wrong that was done to her. The District's attorneys stand to make big bucks out of this case...even when they lose! What a waste of educational dollars...by a District taken over by ISBE. But, then again, maybe that's why!