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With a grievance hanging in the balance, the Churchill County School Board Thursday night approved the hiring of Jack Garrett Jr. for the position of agriculture mechanics teacher pending the outcome of a grievance.
Garrett, living in Idaho, would replace Kristina Moore (formerly Carey), who would move into a chemistry teaching position.
The hiring of Garrett was on the consent agenda, prompting Churchill County Education Association President Margie Villanueva to ask Garrett's name be removed because of the grievance filed on behalf of Moore.
The issue of which the school board wrestled was whether to approve the hiring of Garrett, who had been under the impression he had been hired by CCSD.
Moore does not want to switch teaching assignments at the high school, although she mentioned in March she did.
School District attorney Sharla Hales said the grievance process could be accelerated if the one filing it wanted to do so.
"We are well aware the situation this puts Mr. Garrett in," Villanueva said. "This guy might be sitting in Idaho thinking he has a job."
She added the CCEA would be happy to work as quickly as possible in the grievance process.
Nathan Waite, a teacher at the high school, said he has worked for five principals, and mentioned current CCHS Principal Robbin Pedrett has brought more of a positive attitude than her predecessors.
He said he is dismayed the school board would be swayed by innuendoes and rumors, and added employees in the district should be happy they have a job when considering the current economy,
"I believe she is doing a (great) job and should not be second guessed," he said. Pedrett made the final decision to hire Garrett.
Waite added Pedrett is not afraid to makes decisions, even if they could turn out to be wrong.
"I do support Mrs. Pedrett 100 percent," he said.
CCEA Vice President April Chester said the association spoke with Superintendent Carolyn Ross on June 17 about the hiring of Garrett in hopes the issue could be averted.
Pedrett said she is acting in the best interests of the high school, and added Moore had asked for a reassignment. She also said no paperwork is needed to change teaching jobs.
The high school principal said there were 11 teaching vacancies to fill, and she has hired 10 instructors. However, Pedrett said, she is having difficulty finding science candidates
Pedrett said she only has spoken with the CCEA and had never been approached by Moore on the issue.
"I am concerned for your students in science," she told the school board.
Cyndi Kent-Dillon, a nurse in the district, said by continuing to delay the hiring process, good teachers are going elsewhere.
Trustee Tom Riggins wanted to know what agreement had been made with Garrett, and Pedrett said he was told his name would be recommended to the school board.
Hales, when asked for legal advice, said the board could approve Garrett and let the grievance play out, but if the CCEA prevailed, she added, it could be perceived the board complicated matters by approving Garrett for the teaching position.
Villanueva said the teaching association contract states no teacher can be moved to another assignment to make room for another instructor.
Trustee Dave Ash said a decision had to be made.
"We are very indecisive. We need a strong legal decision of where we stand. We are looking lame to the community," Ash said, before making the motion to approve Garrett to the teaching position pending the outcome of the grievance.
The board approved the motion 4-2 with Trustees Lou Buckmaster and Ron Evans in dissent. President Greg Koenig was not at the meeting.
Garrett, living in Idaho, would replace Kristina Moore (formerly Carey), who would move into a chemistry teaching position.
The hiring of Garrett was on the consent agenda, prompting Churchill County Education Association President Margie Villanueva to ask Garrett's name be removed because of the grievance filed on behalf of Moore.
The issue of which the school board wrestled was whether to approve the hiring of Garrett, who had been under the impression he had been hired by CCSD.
Moore does not want to switch teaching assignments at the high school, although she mentioned in March she did.
School District attorney Sharla Hales said the grievance process could be accelerated if the one filing it wanted to do so.
"We are well aware the situation this puts Mr. Garrett in," Villanueva said. "This guy might be sitting in Idaho thinking he has a job."
She added the CCEA would be happy to work as quickly as possible in the grievance process.
Nathan Waite, a teacher at the high school, said he has worked for five principals, and mentioned current CCHS Principal Robbin Pedrett has brought more of a positive attitude than her predecessors.
He said he is dismayed the school board would be swayed by innuendoes and rumors, and added employees in the district should be happy they have a job when considering the current economy,
"I believe she is doing a (great) job and should not be second guessed," he said. Pedrett made the final decision to hire Garrett.
Waite added Pedrett is not afraid to makes decisions, even if they could turn out to be wrong.
"I do support Mrs. Pedrett 100 percent," he said.
CCEA Vice President April Chester said the association spoke with Superintendent Carolyn Ross on June 17 about the hiring of Garrett in hopes the issue could be averted.
Pedrett said she is acting in the best interests of the high school, and added Moore had asked for a reassignment. She also said no paperwork is needed to change teaching jobs.
The high school principal said there were 11 teaching vacancies to fill, and she has hired 10 instructors. However, Pedrett said, she is having difficulty finding science candidates
Pedrett said she only has spoken with the CCEA and had never been approached by Moore on the issue.
"I am concerned for your students in science," she told the school board.
Cyndi Kent-Dillon, a nurse in the district, said by continuing to delay the hiring process, good teachers are going elsewhere.
Trustee Tom Riggins wanted to know what agreement had been made with Garrett, and Pedrett said he was told his name would be recommended to the school board.
Hales, when asked for legal advice, said the board could approve Garrett and let the grievance play out, but if the CCEA prevailed, she added, it could be perceived the board complicated matters by approving Garrett for the teaching position.
Villanueva said the teaching association contract states no teacher can be moved to another assignment to make room for another instructor.
Trustee Dave Ash said a decision had to be made.
"We are very indecisive. We need a strong legal decision of where we stand. We are looking lame to the community," Ash said, before making the motion to approve Garrett to the teaching position pending the outcome of the grievance.
The board approved the motion 4-2 with Trustees Lou Buckmaster and Ron Evans in dissent. President Greg Koenig was not at the meeting.
