Raymond superintendent resigns as district accused of discriminating against gay principal
As the Raymond School District faces a number of legal entanglements, including accusations of discrimination against a gay principal, residents were thrown for another loop Monday night when the superintendent announced his resignation.
With about 80 onlookers packing the library of Raymond School for a school board meeting Monday, Superintendent Michael Garvey asked board members to accept his resignation, effective Dec. 31.
The Raymond School District is a one-school district in Racine County with about 430 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Board members voted unanimously to accept Garvey's resignation, though two board members noted they were reluctant to do so. Garvey said he had notified board members of his intention about a month ago.
Garvey also asked for release from any "damages," noting that the district has faced a "barrage of legal claims."
"My health and well-being, and the toll this is taking on me and my family, demand that I ask for relief from my contract," Garvey said.
In September, Raymond School Principal Jeff Peterson was placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation into his conduct. Peterson then filed a discrimination complaint with the state Department of Workforce Development, claiming the district discriminated against him for being gay, and asking for his job back.
On Monday morning, the ACLU of Wisconsin announced it had filed a records request with the Raymond School District for information about Peterson's leave, citing concern over whether Peterson has been discriminated against by Garvey or other district officials.
Earlier this month, a group of residents retained a lawyer to file suit against school board members for refusing to terminate Garvey, after residents voted Aug. 23 at the district's annual meeting to direct board members to "pursue legal proceedings with respect to Dr. Garvey's contract." The suit, filed in Racine County Circuit by attorney William Sulton, asked a judge to issue a declaration terminating Garvey's employment.
Residents at the board meeting Monday night didn't know what to expect after board members left the library for a closed session discussion with their lawyer. Garvey made his announcement when the board returned to open session.
Some residents told the Journal Sentinel they were there because they wanted to show support for Garvey and the school board, while others said they supported Peterson and were frustrated by what they called a lack of transparency from the board, which didn't allow for public comment Monday. Some residents are gathering signatures for a recall election.
Garvey is at least the sixth superintendent in southeastern Wisconsin to leave his position in the last year. Just last week, Whitnall School District Superintendent Lisa Olson announced her early retirement, alluding to "external factors" and observing a shifting focus away from "students and collaboration."
Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @RoryLinnane.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Superintendent in Racine resigns as district accused of discrimination
