Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for November 17, 2007 THE DRIEM(EIER) IS OVER

As so often happens, legal posturing takes place right up to the deadline for a hearing/court appearance...and then one side or the other "blinks". In this instance, it was Ron Driemeier who blinked.

School Superintendent Resigns After Misconduct Allegations

By: Heartland News

GALATIA, Ill. - The Galatia Community Unit School District superintendent resigned Thursday after a school board investigation revealed allegations of misconduct.

The Galatia School Board had scheduled a hearing for November 14th to consider eight separate charges of misconduct against Superintendent Ronald Driemeier.

That hearing didn't happen because the board and Driemeier reached a separation agreement. Basically, he agreed to resign and the board agreed to let him out of his contract.

The charges the board planned to discuss range from failing to keep up his certification as an educator, failing to submit a criminal background check, violating the school's computer policy, improper conduct towards employees on a business trip to springfield, misuse of his position as superintendent of schools to create a hostile and intimidating working environment and sexual harrassment.

Driemeier denied that he engaged in any conduct that would constitute a breach of employment.

His resignation terminiates a two-year contract between Driemeier and the Galatia School District.

School board members say the search for a new superintendent will begin immediately.

The school board released this statement: "This Board is committed to finding an individual of high quality to run the Galatia Schools now and in the future. The Board of Education is up to meeting this task. It's time to close the book on Driemeier's employment with this District and focus our energies and attention to meeting the needs of our students."

Galatia superintendent has resigned

By Brian DeNeal, Staff Writer

GALATIA - Galatia school board Thursday approved a separation agreement between the school district and Superintendent Ron Driemeier who has been suspended from his duties since July 1.

The agreement includes Driemeier's resignation as superintendent and elementary school principal. It provides him with $10,000 for unpaid salary, benefits and accumulated vacation up to the date of his resignation which was effective immediately, according to a news release from the district. Driemeier was on paid leave until September when the board voted to cease payment, after discovering Driemeier's certification as superintendent had lapsed since July 1.

The agreement terminates Driemeier's two-year contract which covered the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years.

The suspension stemmed from an allegation of physical and sexual abuse from a former student of Driemeier's in Washington County. The Daily Register/Daily Journal received the allegation May 3 from the former student and relayed it to the Saline County Sheriff's Department.

"We take such allegations seriously and routinely provide information of this type to the Sheriff's Ddepartment," Daily Register/Daily Journal Editor Terry Geese said.

Driemeier said in interview October 31 the student making the accusation was in his class 25 years ago. Driemeier denied the accusation during the interview and in a letter to the editor. Driemeier intended the letter to raise awareness of false allegations made against teachers forcing them to clear their own names.

Driemeier showed the Daily Register/Daily Journal results of a polygraph test he took in October that indicated he was not lying when he denied improper contact with the former student.

During Driemeier's suspension, the board initiated an investigation through its attorneys and Kevin McClain Investigations of Centralia.

The board agreed the findings that resulted from that investigation were sufficient to pursue a separation with Driemeier.

Board President Tom Patterson said the allegation from 25 years ago was not a part of the board's decision.

"The 25-year-ago thing had nothing to do with the decision here. That just started it," Patterson said after the meeting.

He said the board informed Driemeier the night of his suspension in July there had been an allegation from Washington County and provided Driemeier with information on the allegation in August.

According to the release, on Oct. 31, the school's attorneys provided Driemeier's attorneys with formal notice of the following charges:

* Failure to register the required certification entitling him to act as superintendent of schools following July 1, 2007;

* Failure to complete a criminal background check as required by law and failure to submit a criminal background check to the board;

* Violation of the school district's computer use policy;

* Improper conduct towards two employees on a district business trip to Springfield;

* Sexual harassment of school district employees;

* Blatant disrespect for and repeated violations of certain legal requirements imposed by statute or regulation;

* Made comments that were demeaning and degrading to the female gender;

* Misuse of his position as superintendent to create a hostile and intimidating working environment.

A summary of the likely testimony was provided to Driemeier's attorney Nov. 7, according to the release.

Driemeier could not be reached for comment this morning. The board's release said he has denied all the charges.

"Driemeier contested the charges and specifically denied that he engaged in any conduct that would constitute a breach of his employment agreement or otherwise be grounds for termination of employment with the district," the release states.

The board had scheduled a hearing Nov. 14 to consider the charges, but the hearing and subsequent special meeting was canceled after reaching a mutual separation agreement.

While Driemeier has been on suspension, former Galatia Superintendent Gary Siebert has provided consulting services and retired former Superintendent Ernest Felty has served as interim superintendent. Now the board is ready to find a full time superintendent.

"This board is committed to finding an individual of high quality to run the Galatia schools now and in the future. The board of education is up to meeting this task. It's time to close the book on Driemeier's employment with this district and focus our energies and attention to meeting the needs of our students," the board has said in a prepared statement.

During the meeting, the board:

* Heard a complaint from Jason Blackburn regarding the bill from Kevin McClain Investigations. Blackburn said the agreement with McClain was to not exceed $5,000, but the bill is for about $7,500. Patterson said the extra money included the hand delivery of material from the investigation from McClain to the school district's attorneys.

"My point is we say $5,000 and now we're at $7,000 with them. They should have done what they were supposed to do," Blackburn said.

The board voted to pay the bill.

* Felty noted the school's newest bus has a unique appearance with two stop arms, storage compartments underneath like a Greyhound bus, high seat backs and tinted windows. The high seat backs and tinted windows are intended to protect students from sniper fire. The district purchased the bus from a Missouri school system where such features are apparently normal.

* Approved an insurance agreement with Illinois Risk Management Trust through Williams and Associates that saves the district money from the previous agreement. The liability premium is $30,047 and worker's compensation premium is $15,966.

* Felty said findings in the district audit point to the same problems the district has heard in the past with improper classifications, no record of fixed assets, coding problems and insufficient records of funds raised through school activities.

Felty recommended the board begin an inventory of fixed assets by recording each new piece of equipment purchased.

"If you start that now, eventually you'll come in step," Felty said.

He also said it is important to count activity fund money up each night in the event there is a question raised.

"If there is an error we need to know what's counted that night," Felty said.

* Approved a tax levy of $1,455,853, a 4.96 percent increase with special attention toward funds going toward the Illinois Municipal Retirment Fund and TORT immunity.

* Held a second reading and adoption of a random drug testing policy for students involved in extra-curricular activities and those who drive to school.

* Accepted the resignation of aide April Mathews.

* Approved changing Cathy Cochrum's position from assistant volunteer girls basketball coach to assistant volunteer to the head coach. Felty said her position calls for her not being on the floor during games. Blackburn voted no, Tim Pribble voted no and Ronnie Bond passed.

* Approved salary increases for non-certified staff. Pribble voted no.