Superintendent on paid leave

The Shoreline School District might soon be looking for a new superintendent.

School Board members voted unanimously at their April 3 meeting to put Superintendent James Welsh on administrative leave with pay, effective immediately.

The Board’s vote came after hours of public comment at the crowded meeting, where calls for Welsh’s resignation were met with resounding applause.

“The Board anticipates further review of Dr. Welsh’s employment status with the district in the immediate future,” Mike Jacobs, Board president, said in a district press release. When Jacobs was asked what that means and if Welsh could be fired, he said the answer was confidential for legal reasons.

“What I can tell you at this point is we’re proceeding with the review process and hope to have a resolution in the very near future,” he said.

At the meeting, speakers from the crowd detailed the drastic effects that draft cuts proposed for the 2006-07 school year could have on school safety, special education, associated student body groups and class sizes. The district’s proposal aims to balance the budget and suggests cutting over 40 teaching positions and paring back security monitors, nurses, special education staff and more.

Amy Pleasant, an art teacher at Einstein Middle School who’s worked for the district since 1990, addressed Welsh in a speech at the meeting.

“Most people do not believe that you are telling the truth about this financial crisis,” she said. At the end of her speech, she quietly asked Welsh to resign.

Jacobs stopped her mid-speech, warning that public attacks weren’t acceptable.

“You’re restricting free speech!” some audience members called out in protest.

“If you can’t name names, you can’t name the problem,” said Chuck Leone, who’s worked in transportation for the district for 11 years.

He addressed Welsh, saying: “After all that has transpired, sir, an honorable man would resign.”

Some speakers questioned why the district had bought lap tops for students when it was cutting other classroom supplies and services to the bone.

Barbara Biddle, a six-year former employee of the district’s payroll department, spoke of her distrust of Welsh’s leadership.

“I was appalled at the smoke and shell game — moving money here, moving money there to give the appearance of (stability),” she said. “Dr. Welsh, we’re in shambles under your leadership.”

While Welsh is on leave, he has no authority to act on behalf of the district. The Board appointed Linda Johnson, associate superintendent, to serve as acting superintendent. Johnson has already accepted a superintendent job in Oregon, but it doesn’t start until July 1.

“The hard work still has to happen of making the budget decisions, whether or not Jim Welsh is in the superintendent’s position,” said Cheryl Ricevuto, president of the Shoreline Educational Association, in an interview. “It’s going to be difficult. However, given that those who are responsible for this financial state are not in decision-making positions any longer, I think it will be easier to meet those challenges.”