School board announces acting superintendent
RICHLAND, Wash. -- Richland has a new acting superintendent while Jim Busey is out on paid leave. The school board named Rich Puryear to the role.
He's been the Executive Director of Financial Services for more than a decade.
Puryear assumes the new role today.
As you recall..Busey was put on leave last week while the district investigates whether his relationship with a staffer was inappropriate.
To get all sides, we tried speaking to Jim Busey for comment but he did not return our call.
He's been the Executive Director of Financial Services for more than a decade.
Puryear assumes the new role today.
As you recall..Busey was put on leave last week while the district investigates whether his relationship with a staffer was inappropriate.
To get all sides, we tried speaking to Jim Busey for comment but he did not return our call.
PURYEAR!!! Wow, what is this guy doing? I personally think Jim is much better than this prick. I find Puryear rude, arrogant, disrespectful, and presumptuous. Sad for Jim's termination.
So Richland's School District is getting a 'second stringer' acting as Superintendent, all because the Herald stubbed their toe in transforming what actually was a private matter into an alleged 'public concern'. Now a District that from all appearances was running satisfactorily, is faced with some serious budget challenges has 'concerned citizens' holding back support .......... all because this essentially private matter was transformed by the Herald into a public concern.
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Of all the media outlets in this area .. initially ONLY ONE, the Herald, chose to make this a 'public concern'  Radio and TV stations including KEPR choose to carry this story ONLY AFTER the Herald made it a 'public' issue.
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The School Board started the formal investigation once it was brought to its attention through a formal complain. We still don't know the complainant or the allegation. Where things got 'derailed' was when the Board decided to bring in this 3rd party 'fixer' from Wenatchee to quietly negotiate a 'solution' with Busey when in fact the Board's investigation couldn't find anything to merit termination. Apparently, even though no violation of his contract obligations were found, enough Board members didn't like the 'smell' of the issue particularly when considering the real challenges facing the Board in the future, i.e. school closures, expansion,etc. So they chose an out-of-town 'fixer' to make it go away, in the best interest of the 'public' of course.Â
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Then once the Herald's story hit, the Board has to scramble and scrap the 'quiet solution', claiming that the ink wasn't dry on the investigation and no "final decisions" had been made.
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In hind site, the Board should have held a news conference once the gist of the investigation was complete. Jansons should have stated that his alleged conduct was thoroughly investigated and found no violation of Busey's contract obligations and that they continued to strongly support him. But it was too late for that! Â
Their 'quiet solution' clearly put Busey on notice that some on the Board where disappointed, disgusted, morally appalled, etc. with his behavior and thus was unsuited to continue as Superintendent and would not support him.  So with legal help, Busey chose to respond to this challenge of his personal conduct that could very well sink his career, and publicly declared his terms for vacating the position.
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Now everyone is in 'defensive mode' and our righteous 'concerned citizens'Â are insisting on quick resolutions .....................................
IF ONLY ... the School Board would have been up front when their investigation was completed.Â
IF ONLY the Herald would have waited for the Board to make their decision on the allegations.Â
IF ONLY the disgruntled, agenda-seeking, busy-body parent, teacher, lover, etc. etc. let the complaint process complete without talking to the media. And of course ....
IF ONLY the Herald would have let the complaint process complete, then decide on how the public's interest would be best served in the matter.  Parroting allegations as they did this case, DIDN'T SERVE the public's best interest, but it's jeopardized what already appeared to be a most challenging financial future for the District..  Â
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Unfortunately the next story headline may read ....
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Replacing Superintendent, Bush League School Board Cripples District's Financial Future.
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