The superintendent of Farmington (Mich.) Public Schools and two school board members have resigned amid allegations of harassment and “dysfunctional behavior.”
WDIV-TV reports that superintendent Bob Herrera’s resignation was announced in a board meeting Monday.
The resignation comes after Herrera filed a complaint against board member Angie Smith for harassment. The resignation agreement makes Herrera’s complaint moot and will no longer be pursued.
“While this is not how or the time that I wanted to leave the district, I felt it was necessary to do what was in the best interest of our entire school community,” Herrera said.
The board voted to pass a resolution censuring Smith.
“The reasons for the censure cited conduct unbecoming a board member based upon Ms. Smith’s public comments and posts causing disruption to school district meetings and operations, necessarily and unfairly interfering with the ability of the Superintendent to perform his duties and provide leadership for the district, among other things,” stated a district news release.
At the end of the meeting, board member Pamela Green resigned as board president and board member. According to the district, her decision was because of the “dysfunctional behavior of two unnamed board members [who] had interfered with further progress of district initiatives, as well as contributing to her health issues, ultimately requiring that she remove herself from the board."
Board vice president Terry Johnson also announced his resignation -- effective Nov. 21 -- with approximately 45 days left of his term.
Herrera, who was hired as superintendent in 2019 upon the retirement of George Heitsch, will continue his role through the end of the current semester. He then will serve as a consultant for the district in the second semester. He will receive a $105,000 severance payment upon his termination of employment on June 30, 2021.
The board has not established its next steps to fill the vacant positions or select the next superintendent.
VIDEO: Nov. 16 Farmington school board meeting (YouTube)
