Palliser Regional Schools board fires superintendent
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Superintendent Kevin Gietz has been fired from Palliser Regional Schools effective immediately, though the reasons for the firing are not being made public.
A special in-camera meeting was held by the Palliser Board of Trustees on Tuesday, before moving into regular council, in order to pass a motion on the decision.
According to a prepared statement, the board passed a motion “… concluding the employment of Superintendent Kevin Gietz, effective immediately without notice or payment in lieu of notice.”
Board chair Robert Strauss said he was unable to comment on the issue as it was a personnel matter, and said the Board of Trustees is tasked with making these decisions.
He also would not speak to any of the complaints against Gietz, as well as general issues against Palliser, which may or may not have played a role in his firing.
“The fact it is a sensitive personnel matter, I really have to restrict my comments to (the released statement),” he said. “That is all I can say at this time.”
Last year, the board appointed a three-person panel to hold a division-wide review in response to widespread reports of bullying and other issues within the district.
The panel moved forward with two members and came up with 21 recommendations to resolve the issues, which the board has accepted in full and is working toward.
Accusations against Gietz have never been formally addressed by the board.
Strauss did say work on implementing the 21 recommendations made by the panel has been progressing, however.
“The organizational review process has been valuable,” he said. “I think the 21 recommendations the board is following on will build a stronger school division, a more transparent school division and, in the long run, I think it will reflect positively for everyone in the school division — staff, students, and the public.”
Sherrie Duda is a parent of children who are attending school in the division and has been following the issue closely.
"I appreciate the time and effort that the Palliser school board has put in to addressing the concerns brought forward in the organizational review,” she wrote in an email statement. “Hopefully they can continue moving forward.”
Acting superintendent Garry Andrews will continue in the acting role as Palliser moves forward in the process of hiring a new superintendent.
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