Superintendent on leave amid probe

Region 14 school board investigates claims administrators, board members were prioritized for COVID-19 vaccine at Southbury clinic

The Region 14 school board has placed Superintendent Joseph Olzacki on paid administrative leave amid an investigation into the district’s vaccine rollout.

Finance Director Wayne McAllister will take over “day-to-day leadership” of the district for the near term, said George Bauer, chairman of the school board. McAllister planned to retire at the end of February.

Olzacki’s leave is effective immediately and lasts until further notice and/or the outcome of the investigation into claims that administrators, central office staff, and school board members and their spouses received the COVID-19 vaccine at a rare clinic in Southbury last month.

“The Region 14 Board of Education awaits the outcome of the review,” Bauer said in an email. “In the meantime, we have full confidence in the district's leadership team to support the education of our students and sustain operations.”

Teachers have called for Olzacki to be fired, with the teachers’ union voting they have “no confidence” in him.

Some teachers and other educators were vaccinated that day, but teachers say the limited doses should have gone to staff members who work closely with students and are most vulnerable to the virus. Region 14 includes Bethlehem and Woodbury schools.

The school board ordered an investigation into the claims earlier this month and voted Thursday night to put the superintendent on leave.

“With many recent issues and concerns throughout the district, the board wants to move forward in improving the climate and increase the focus on educating our students,” Bauer said. “To do this, the board cannot rely on hearsay and will continue to gather facts to address concerns.”