Godfey-Lee superintendent resigns
November 6th, 2008 at 11:50 pm by Tony Tagliavia under News
Citing a “substantial disagreement” between himself and a majority of school board members, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Superintendent Jack Wallington resigned Thursday night.
Neither the superintendent nor board members would elaborate on the nature of that disagreement.
“I have concluded it is in the best interest of the district and its students that I resign to enable the district to move forward,” the superintendent told the board and those in attendance at a special board meeting.
Pressed in an interview with 24 Hour News 8 to be more specific, Wallington said, “I got into education for kids and if I can’t keep the educational system moving forward — the board and I aren’t able to work together — in my opinion it’s in the best interest of the district that I resign and they find someone that’s a better match with the direction they wish to go.”
The board members present unanimously accepted the resignation — board President Pamela Hoezee was not in attendance — and authorized the naming of an interim superintendent subject to the board’s approval.
Wallington said the board will honor his contract, meaning he will continue to be paid.
The school board was set to vote at Thursday’s special meeting on taking back a raise given to Wallington and reducing his authority. The superintendent told 24 Hour News 8 he didn’t know the reasoning for that, saying it was a question for the board.
Board Vice President Dennis Groendyke refused to explain the reasoning, saying in an interview only that “we feel that we did what was best for all parties concerned.”
The resignation came after the board went into closed session with its attorney.
Groendyke said the situation wasn’t related to accusations that some school administrators had falsified the date on a job application.
An item banning the superintendent from discussing the hiring process of a special education paraprofessional was also on the board’s agenda Thursday along with a measure to rescind the raise given to the districts’ financial director.
A part-time district paraprofessional — the daughter of Godfrey-Lee’s finance director — addressed the board at the outset of the meeting, saying that she believed she was going to be full-time but ended up in a job that was part-time with no benefits. She said she brought her son into the district but that he found himself in a hostile environment.
The paraprofessional told 24 Hour News 8 the superintendent didn’t have anything to do with that hostile environment.
Other district employees at the meeting said they too were uncertain of the reason for the board’s potential action against the superintendent.
Tags: GLPS, Godfrey-Lee, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Kent County Schools, Michigan Schools, West Michigan, West Michigan Schools
Whats it to ya buster brown?
So what happened at this evenings board meeting?
Random side note: Athletics are not unimportant, when done right they teach young men especially how to be men of character, how to work with others and how to strive for something bigger than themselves.
Well, the school board president resigned and no one even mentioned it. BTW, this position needs to be filled within 30 days or KISD will fill it. Also, the baseball coach was taken from a Step 1 compensation to a Step 5 for being the middle school football coach.
I love that people are making jokes about this serious matter and turning into a spelling bee. Grow up and hold these people accountable.
Dear “Wants2..”
The Baseball Coach has more than 10 years coaching experience which according to POLICY qualifies for Step 5 pay. Are you suggesting he be the only coach not payed according to what is mandated? You are obviously someone with a grudge. Of course the attacks can only come from 1 side since you will not post your name which leads me to believe you have an agenda to destroy some of the good being accomplished at GL. Please feel free to talk to any of the kids who have passed through his program going back to even the Creston days and I guarantee you will find a vast majority of kids who consider themselves better served having had Ty as a coach. Of course there is no way you would take this challenge as it would force you to reveal your identity and might even change your vindictive and uninformed opinion.
of last nights Board of Ed meeting was a former board member being called out by Goendykes wife. This former member made remarks about Mr. Groendyke’s wardrobe in front of Mr. Groendyke’s wife. Mrs, Groendyke gave it to him and he stood there red as could be. He was so dumb he was bad mouthing Groendyke to some one who did not even agree with him.
Thank you John Cain for attacking me for simply stating the truth. I gave no opinion whatsoever as to my feelings about the baseball coach. If you took the time to look at any of my 3 posts, you would see that I never attacked anyone. You on the other hand can’t seem to do anything else. Why on Earth would I give you my real identity??? Next thing I know you’d be coming after my entire family.
You honestly believe that this is that big of a deal that the man you “go after your family” GET REAL! This issue is solved as far as I’m concerned and the district is moving forward. No matter how much you all complain about coach Ty you have no idea what he sacrifices for the kids at Lee so please avoid blogging about it and keep you unjustified opinions to your self. Whats up Cain? How ya been man?
Wow!! Wants2 you really are something. To suggest I would go after your entire family shows how truly delusional you are. I love America and especially freedom of speech, in fact I exercise it everyday. I would never attempt to deny any one that freedom by threat or intimidation.
Then there’s the statement that I can only attack people when I clearly gave credit to a whole range of people for some of the good things that do indeed go on in the GL School District. The only attacks I made were against anonymous posters who are slinging mud. And don’t think anyone buys that your comment on the pay scale was anything other than veiled snipe at someone you obviously don’t care for.
If you would dare to leave your name I will assure you no threat or attempt at violence will be carried out by me or anyone else associated with the coaching staff. Then maybe we could compare what if any contributions you make towards improving things in the GL. But I’m sure you’re just a griper who talks behind backs and wouldn’t EVER have the courage to stand up for what you believe.
God Bless America!! Go Rebels!!
All I know is that it is really sad that Pam Hoezee had to resign. I was at the board meeting and nothing was ever said about Mrs. Hoezee. I think everyone needs to worry about the kids and the direction the district is going in. I guess we will have to wait and see what the board is doing if its in the best interest in our kids studies. With as much effort that is being put into this is the board really worth all of us wasting our time on here since it is not going to change anything. The only way things can change is if you get them off the board if that is truely how you feel.
Well, since Action Jackson asked (I think), it is not the mere lack of spelling ability that I would point out on many posts in this forum. It is the lack of realization that, before one can attempt to sway the opinions of others on the subject of education, one needs to be able to put a coherent sentence or two together. That’s all.
I know both Dave Britten and Dennis. Dave Britten is an outstanding person and a great leader. He loves kids and knows what teaching is all about. He will do wonderful things for the district.
Dennis does have his agenda but show me a board member at any school district that said they not do and I will show you a person who speaks with a forked tounge. Yes he favors the baseball team but he also has supported the band and cares about the kids. So what if he thinks baseball is important. Is that bad? He is a wonderful father and takes care of his kids. He is a blue collar guy and is proud of that fact. The shots that you have taken at him are unfair and uncalled for.
As for the baseball coach. He is an outstanding coach who cares about his program a lot. I have had arguments with him but I still respect the passion he brings to Lee. Do I agree with him on everything? No. But I do respect him and love the job he has done with baseball.
I guess we need to just sit back and do our jobs and love the kids and all will come out in the end.
I have no problem posting my name here and will 1st admit I have flaws.
But I will share with you I was given many hugs and thank you’s from the Lee Staff. And I do want to point out the 6 board members and our staff have not resigned or quit and will countinue to serve the community.
Great! Glad to hear it and keep your head high Mr. Groendyke! You make a difference because you care and you won’t allow others to “Own” you. That is part of the problem why certain people want you off the board. Hope you are strong enough to keep going and clean house!
Mr. Goendyke keep doing what you do. Do what is best for the kids at Lee! You are doing a good job. I got your back.
I am not Anon 2 but her husband I am a Lee grad from 1990(yes that would be ancient history now) Dennis is doing a good job(or would that be bestest job at least i spelled it right ha ha) if your not on the board or in the district its not really your business and this is going on long enough drop it there, ive said my thoughts and i hate publicity but i think the world of dennis and this school district and Mr. Britten will do a great job GO REBELS
Mr. Groendyke: Nice comma, but on a note unrelated to punctuation my goatee sportin’ fancy sweatshirt rockin’ friend: Don’t you mean 7 board members? I mean if we count our good buddy Steve Thomas who seems to have a lot of pull with ya’all.
Frank, you are just one heck of an ignorant mean spirited man! (Or woman!) You really should seek some professional help for your negativism, pessimism and depression.
All man my friend
First let me say that I am glad to see people are focused on the primary task at hand…what is best for our kids as well as the long term future of our wonderful district.
In my humble opinion, Mr. Britten should have been given the title of Sup. when the position was open 4yrs. ago! He loves and lives for the GLPS district, show me anyone else who gives so much of his/her time for the improvement and growth of GLPS… I didn’t think so.
As far as sports Vs academics goes, which came first the chicken or the egg? I think the latter could be easier to answer! This is an issue for every school district, there are many who think sports keeps kids in school and there are many who think sports distracts kids from school. Flip a coin and let’s move on…
My only concern for GLPS is the continued game of “politics” played by one specific administrator in the Alt. Ed. Building. He loves making waves and then steps back just in time to not get wet. From what students have told me, if he would spend less time taking “smoke breaks” and “Central Office trips” and spend more time focusing on ways to improve his building (such as reducing the knives, drugs, and gangs)he wouldn’t have time to get into all the political gamesmanship he has reputation by.
Go Rebels…Go Britten…and Good Bye Thomas!!!
I hear alot on here about 2 of the administrators and the impact they have on the district…Britten and Thomas? Just curious what about the others: ECC and Godfreys? Also the curriculum teacher? Any feelings there? Takes more than one good and one bad as you have name the other two?
For real, well at least we didi not join the wyoming public schools.