The Washington Township Board of Education put Dr. Eric Hibbs (back row, second from left) on administrative leave with pay on March 18. John R. McGee was named interim acting superintendent.
It’s not clear why school Superintendent Eric Hibbs has been put on administrative leave with pay.
The township board of education, in a 5-3 vote, approved putting Hibbs on leave at the beginning of a work session on March 18. Hired by the district in 2023, Hibbs’ contract runs through June 30, 2027. The board approved his contract with an annual salary of $215,000 for the 2022-’23 school year, and beginning in July 2024, his base salary increased by 2.5%, according to that contract.
Board members Patricia Blome, Vice President Steven Serrano, Ralph Ross Sr., Connie Baker and President Julie Kozempel voted in favor of the leave. Elayne Clancy, Carol Chila and Linda Hartong voted “no.” Member Scott Laliberte was not present.
The board had to pass a resolution invoking the Doctrine of Necessity to discuss and vote on the employment of the superintendent of schools, since five members – Blome, Hartong, Kozempel, Clancy and Chila – have conflicts of interest that would prevent them from participating.
“The vote tonight is going to be symbolic of a lot of things,” Chila noted. “I hope the board members voting take it very seriously and also realize what they’re doing in terms of causing any potential liability in the future.”
The state’s School Ethics Commission provides guidance regarding how a board of education should invoke the Doctrine of Necessity when a quorum of board members has conflicts of interest on a matter to be addressed and voted on.
At the work session, the board took action and approved Gretchen Gerber as acting superintendent for a week, through March 25.
“I want to assure you that the district remains committed to providing a stable, safe and supportive learning environment for our students,” Gerber wrote in a letter to township families. I understand that transitions can bring uncertainty, but please know that our administrative team and I are fully committed to supporting our staff, students and families.”
At the March 25 regular meeting, Serrano made a motion to appoint John R. McGee as interim Acting Superintendent at the per diem rate of $750 per day, effective immediately upon approval of the board and ending May 1, or the date the current superintendent returns from his administrative leave, whichever occurs first.
McGee, a retired educator, served as interim superintendent when retiring Superintendent Joe Bollendorf left the district in 2022.
Clancy addressed the Hibbs issue as a taxpayer and resident of the township.
“(Dr. Hibbs) was railroaded by certain people on the board and union,” she contended. “Dr. Hibbs was not even given an opportunity to defend himself and was suspended with pay. This is another cost to the district to hire an interim superintendent at $750 a day. Where is all the money going to come from?
” …I demand Dr. Hibbs be reinstated immediately and let the SEC (State Ethics Commission) (run) its due course.”
Her comments were met with applause from the crowd, as was Serrano’s motion.
In the end, the board appointed McGee acting interim superintendent, with board members against the decision abstaining from the vote, although they said abstaining was not a reflection of McGee. Laliberte said the district cannot be without a superintendent after exhausting every other option to bring back Dr. Hibbs.
