Mt. Vernon school board: Eisenbarth wasn't unprofessional*, but he couldn't stay

In my inbox this morning, this statement from Mount Vernon School Board President Tom Wiesseler. In it, Wiesseler writes that former Washington Elementary School Principal was not guilty of any misconduct that would have required the board to report him to the State Board of Educational Examiners, nor did he commit any illegal acts.

The board asked him to leave because there had been so much conflict over his management style the board felt Eisenbarth wouldn't be able to lead the school -- lending credence to Eisenbarth supporters' claims that the principal was just a victim of a few vindictive teachers. The board's statement doesn't confirm that theory, although it seems to come close, citing "conflict over Mr. Eisenbarth's management style and the means by which he attempted to effect change."

That's not the end of the story, though. Two school parents have filed complaints against Eisenbarth with the BOEE. If they find there's no reason to open an investigation, or if they investigate and find that Eisenbarth didn't do anything wrong, then we'll be able to really shut the books on this one.

Remember, the state only requires boards to report a fraction of misconduct. Iowa law gives school boards discretion in reporting misconduct that doesn't involve criminal charges. Hence the asterisk in this post's headline. As far as the specific allegations are concerned, I guess we're still waiting.

Here's the statement in its entirety:

Some members of the Mount Vernon community have requested information about Principal Terry Eisenbarth's resignation from his position at Washington Elementary School.

Per the Board's request, the District's law firm (Gruhn Law Firm) conducted a lengthy investigation concerning Mr. Eisenbarth beginning in May of 2011 and continuing into June. The firm held interviews with over twenty faculty and staff members from the elementary school. In addition, it held meetings with Mr. Eisenbarth, Superintendent, Dr. Pam Ewell and other members of the community who wished to provide input. Superintendent Ewell also independently interviewed many individuals and shared the results with the firm. The law firm prepared a confidential report for the Board which was based on its investigation.

The general summary of the findings indicated there was conflict over Mr. Eisenbarth's management style and the means by which he attempted to effect change. However, the firm did not find that Mr. Eisenbarth had committed any acts of unprofessional behavior requiring filing complaints with the Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) nor did any other agency, including police and the county attorney, find that any illegal acts had been committed. Two parents individually filed a complaint against Mr. Eisenbarth with the BoEE and those are pending. There is no pending action against the school district.

In the final analysis, the Mount Vernon School Board of Directors was left with the opinion that regardless of whatever efforts had been made; Mr. Eisenbarth could no longer be as effective in the principal's position as the Board expected. In effect, enough damage had occurred that it detrimentally affected Mr. Eisenbarth's ability to be a building leader. Under those circumstances, Mr. Eisenbarth agreed to tender his resignation, which the Board accepted. The resignation preempted any open session formal discussion of the evidence in the case and consequently it is not known how individual Board member may have voted.

The law firm's involvement and investigation, which was extensive, cost the District slightly over $18,360.60. Mr. Eisenbarth was paid a severance package of $13,500. Attorney Mona Knoll represented Mr. Eisenbarth and she charged the school district $5,220.

The public is reminded that the Board is prohibited from disclosing either confidential records or closed meeting information.