Two members of the Cato-Meridian School District board of education resigned Monday in the latest of a series of tumultuous events in the district.
Donald Thompson and Patricia Russo both submitted resignation letters Monday morning.
Thompson said he left his position in light of “the hoopla of the last few months” but chose not to elaborate on specifics.
He said he and Russo came to their decisions independently.
“Apparently we came to the same decision at the same time,” he said.
Thompson said he spoke with Russo at a professional function Saturday and that “we both had letters of resignation typed at that time.”
Russo could not be reached for comment Monday night.
Last summer, the school board - with a new makeup of members - revoked the tenure of high school principal Michael Rizzi.
The previous board had granted Rizzi tenure upon the recommendation of superintendent Deborah Bobo.
Rizzi had served in that capacity since 2002.
The week before school started in the fall, and shortly before his tenure had been scheduled to go into effect, the district parted ways with Rizzi in an legal agreement that technically reinstated his tenure as long as he agreed to resign.
The district agreed to pay Rizzi more than $31,000 and provide full health and dental coverage for him and his family through the end of the school year.
Bobo then wrote a glowing letter of reference on Rizzi's behalf.
Thompson would only say Monday that he resigned “for health, family and the events of the last few months.”
Thompson acknowledged that two abrupt resignations from the board “would lead to some speculation” but said he didn't want to discuss the turmoil in the district the last few months.
“I would just as soon not cause any more rancor at this moment,” he said.
Thompson said he left his position in light of “the hoopla of the last few months” but chose not to elaborate on specifics.
He said he and Russo came to their decisions independently.
“Apparently we came to the same decision at the same time,” he said.
Thompson said he spoke with Russo at a professional function Saturday and that “we both had letters of resignation typed at that time.”
Russo could not be reached for comment Monday night.
Last summer, the school board - with a new makeup of members - revoked the tenure of high school principal Michael Rizzi.
The previous board had granted Rizzi tenure upon the recommendation of superintendent Deborah Bobo.
Rizzi had served in that capacity since 2002.
The week before school started in the fall, and shortly before his tenure had been scheduled to go into effect, the district parted ways with Rizzi in an legal agreement that technically reinstated his tenure as long as he agreed to resign.
The district agreed to pay Rizzi more than $31,000 and provide full health and dental coverage for him and his family through the end of the school year.
Bobo then wrote a glowing letter of reference on Rizzi's behalf.
Thompson would only say Monday that he resigned “for health, family and the events of the last few months.”
Thompson acknowledged that two abrupt resignations from the board “would lead to some speculation” but said he didn't want to discuss the turmoil in the district the last few months.
“I would just as soon not cause any more rancor at this moment,” he said.
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