Iowa City school liaison for homeless is on ‘indefinite paid leave,’ district clarifies

IOWA CITY - The Iowa City Community School District clarified Thursday a liaison for homeless students has been put on indefinite paid leave.

A response from the district Wednesday said the district could not comment on whether Stephanie Van Housen was on paid leave because it is a personnel matter. Her salary is $48,284.

Jim Pedersen, interim district human resources director, confirmed Thursday Van Housen's leave is paid and that it is indefinite. He declined to comment further on whether there is an ongoing investigation or when the district might decide how to resolve Van Housen's employment.

The Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa filed a complaint with the district Monday after officials put Van Housen on leave April 8.

The center claims the district violated district policies in suspending Van Housen and is shortchanging low-income families who are used to working with her. Van Housen's duties at Grant Wood Elementary have been assumed by Joan VandenBerg, the district's youth and family development coordinator, officials said.