Letter: Richland superintendent sends notice of retirement
RICHLAND, Wash. -- KEPR has new information tonight on the investigation that has Richland's superintendent of schools off the job. Jim Busey is on paid leave but is putting the district on notice. He sent a letter Wednesday demanding he get his job back.
While this remains a personnel matter, Busey did send a copy to KEPR's Frances Watson. She spoke with the school board president to get his side of this very public story.
Will he get his job back? The Richland School district has been investigating a complaint about Superintendent Jim Busey for weeks.
He's been on paid leave, but it hasn't stopped Busey from talking about it and sharing his side of the story. Now he sent a letter to the district indicating he intends to fully resume his position.
Action News called School Board President Rick Jansons. He's out of town and agreed to a phone interview.
KEPR asked, "He wants his job back immediately. Is that how you understand it?"
"I understand that he sent us a letter, and us said that he didn't want any additional publicity, but did copy at least your TV station on the letter," said school board president Rick Jansons.
Busey's lawyer sent KEPR the two-page document. It claims the board wants "a quick settlement with not much money."
The letter calls that unacceptable along with an ultimatum to sign a "draft written proposal" by the day after Christmas.
The board insists no offer is on the table.
KEPR asked, "What are the draft documents he's referring to?"
"I'm not able to read a lot of what he wrote because I'm on a little iPhone, so a lot of what I'm getting, I'm getting from talking to you," Jansons said.
Busey's been under scrutiny over allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with someone on staff.
His letter refers to the district's notice of administrative leave that "no determination has been made to the truthfulness of the allegations."
Busey claims the action against him is focused on one thing: "The board wanted me gone."
Action News asked, "Any truth to those types of comments in his letter?"
"We'll comment when the investigation is complete and I'll leave it at that," Jansons said.
That could last at least two more weeks while the district is on winter break.
Action News called Busey for an interview and am still waiting for a call back. For now, his letter speaks for him.
Rich Puryear was named acting superintendent last Friday.
This is a developing story. Stay with Action News, KEPRTV.com, Facebook & Twitter for updates.
With Busey's letter of Dec 26th, the ball's back in the Board's court. It's clear Busey, his close friends and attorney are in this for the long haul. It could be posturing to squeeze a settlement out of the Board, but then again if you read the letter he claims to have staff and admin support. And I have to believe that the Board has a handle on this as well.  So it will interesting to see who blinks first, if at all.
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The Board could wrap this up by 'finalizing' their internal investigation and 'no comment' all the other questions, etc. into the future.  By dragging their feet as they did, after an investigation that for all practical purposes was completed, leads me to believe that some members of the Board need to really listen carefully to what can be done legally within the contract, then reflect on what will be in the best interest of the school district at this critical time.Â
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There's certainly a place for moral judgement regarding the behavior of others, including public officials. I've both managed and worked for individuals that I didn't personally like for a variety of reasons including the conduct in their private lives, but as long as they did their job and didn't distract or impede my performance/career or that of others, you tighten your belt, bite your lip and move past it. Making 'enemies' in the work place or professional situations over alleged/actual personal conduct can create a terrible environment in which to conduct the public's work. Unfortunately we may be beyond that point with Busey and some Board members, but I hope not.
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From what I know, the Board appears to have done their due diligence, both when Busey was hired and in their response to 'the' complaint.   They've interviewed, investigated, called in 3rd party legal and admin talent and it's time to decisively act and move forward on this issue. It's time for Jansens to lead this apparently divided Board past this impass without diverting any more taxpayer dollars from our expanding educational needs.Â
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But even in disagreement with some of those Board members .. I sincerely appreciate their service to the community and our School District. It can be difficult and often thankless work.  Â