MEADOW HEIGHTS CHIEF GETS CONTRACT DESPITE PETITION

PATTON -- Meadow Heights School Board President Roy Allen said a petition calling for the ouster of Superintendent Tom Waller instead prompted his re-employment for the next three years.

A petition, signed by 302 people, was presented to the school board Tuesday and accepted without comment.

The board then met behind closed doors and voted 5-2 to give Waller a new three-year contract. At least one board member, Millie Yates, didn't know a discussion of the contract was planned.

Allen explained that Waller had one year left on his contract with the school district. Superintendents customarily have a three-year contract.

"We had been kicking this idea around about what to do about the contract," Allen said. "After the petition, we decided it was time to decide it one way or another."

Yates walked out of the closed meeting after the vote. "They have just thumbed their noses at the petition," she said.

Yates questioned why the members who voted for the extension felt the need to do it Tuesday when a year remained on Waller's contract.

"We have all these allegations and charges and all these signatures on this petition," she said. "Why did they have to do it last night? There are 300 people who need an answer to that question."

Board member Dennis Mouser also voted no.

He didn't think the vote was needed Tuesday night either because Waller had a year remaining on his previous contract.

"With the circumstances of the meeting, I felt like it would be better to wait," he said.

Board treasurer Phyllis Bollinger said she voted for the new contract because she thinks Waller has done a good job leading the school district.

The petition didn't have any bearing on her decision. She said, "I don't feel that it was relevant."

Tom Parker, who organized the petition drive, said the vote Tuesday shows the problem at Meadow Heights.

"The school board is going to do it their way and they don't care what the people think," Parker said.

He plans to look for a way to topple the school board.

Board president Allen said he thinks Waller is the best person to continue leading the school district.

Meadow Heights is considering some big changes, including a building renovation program and new computer link-ups for students.

"Mr. Waller has started that program, and we believe it's in the best interest of the students and school district for him to continue," Allen said.

The board will meet at 8 a.m. today to talk with engineer Tom Strickland about the feasibility of a renovation project at the school.

Allen said the school wants to replace the roof, upgrade the electrical service, air-condition the buildings, replace windows and add insulation.

The district is also planning to upgrade its computer hardware and software and connect with Morenet and Internet.

Waller prompted the discussion about his contract in the closed meeting Tuesday.

"I asked the board what they wanted to do about the petition," he said. "I have not asked for a contract extension for the last two years. I had to make up my mind and decide what to do."

Waller wants to stick with the school district, despite the problems.

"We have excellent parents, excellent students and excellent teachers," Waller said. "Regardless of the outside pressures, we have worked to provide the best education for the kids of this district."

Waller said sometimes superintendents have to make decisions that are unpopular.

"The superintendent of schools is given the responsibility to stand up to things when they have to," he said. "If we operate a school district so that every time someone threatens you, you back down, you end up with utter chaos."

Sandy Raines didn't wish to comment on the board's action.