Mount Vernon school board releases statement on principal's resignation

Responding to patrons questions regarding the resignation of former Washington Elementary School Principal Terry Eisenbarth, the Mount Vernon school board released the following statement:

MOUNT VERNON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS EISENBARTH RESIGNATION

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.