THROOP - Mid Valley appears to be looking for a new superintendent.
The board voted 5-4 on Wednesday on a motion stating that it "does not intend to retain Randy Parry for a further term." After the meeting, board President Gerald Luchansky explained that Mr. Parry and any qualified candidates will be able to apply to the position.
Board members Martin Walsh, Richard Chowanec, Paul Macknosky and Frank Galli, voted against the motion.
Mr. Parry has never been evaluated during his four years in the position, Mr. Macknosky stated.
"I think this decision is premature," he said. "It's a professional courtesy to evaluate before you make this decision.
"I'm not speaking for Mr. Parry one way or the other," Mr. Macknosky went on to say. "I'm simply saying we've made a decision, and we have no idea what we're looking for in a new superintendent."
He disagreed with other board members, who said there had been discussion about the decision.
"There was discussion. You just didn't like what was discussed," board member Donna Dixon said.
Mr. Macknosky countered that the only topic mentioned during discussion at a previous work session was Mr. Parry's handling of the elementary school construction and renovation project. At one point, he questioned whether the vote had political basis.
After the meeting, Mr. Parry said he was unsure if he would reapply, noting that he felt the announcement was handled unprofessionally.
"When you spend three hours discussing a maintenance truck at a work session and 15 minutes on a school leader, that's not good," he said, noting his 22 years with the district. "I feel that alone gives me the right to have an honest discussion. I'm sure there are valid points that they have. I just don't know them."
Also at the meeting, the board voted down a $116 payment to Mr. Galli for his mileage making a delivery to a board consultant. It could have been made for less money by using an overnight shipping service, board member Peter Kolcharno said.
The board also approved a resolution, leaving the door open for a tax increase beyond the 2.1 percent index allowed. A proposed preliminary budget is not completed yet, but business manager Joseph Caputo said the district faces about a $1.2 million deficit. Had taxes been raised last year, that number would have been smaller, he explained.
"We realized we made a mistake at that time," Mr. Luchansky said of the move.
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter