CLIO, MI – The Clio Board of Education has ended its lengthy silence on the reasons behind its removal of James Tenbusch as the district's superintendent, but Tenbusch isn't taking the allegations laying down.
Jim Tenbusch, pictured here during a June 2014 Clio Board of Education meeting has filed a lawsuit against the district and five school board members.
A statement included as an attachment to Tenbusch's evaluation and read by school board member Eric Wood during a recent meeting includes allegations of policy violations, issues with unpaid taxes and threatening email messages.
"We understand the public concern regarding the changes that have been made in the leadership in our District, namely the reassignment of Dr. James Tenbusch and the hiring of Fletcher Spears III to take over the office of the Superintendent of Schools," reads the statement.
Spears was hired on April 29 during a meeting that saw the board place Tenbusch on administrative leave with pay, before eventually naming him the Clio Community High School and Community Education superintendent on June 10.
Spears and Tenbusch are both receiving more than $100,000 in base pay for the upcoming 2014-15 school year. At the same time, the district has laid off 11 teachers and reassigned other positions as part of its plan to trim more than $1 million from the budget.
During the course of the recent school year, the statement notes, "Dr. Tenbusch and the Board received several complaints from building administrators, teachers, parents and community members regarding the operation of the business office. As fiduciaries, we are responsible for insuring that public money is used appropriately."
Tenbusch said he was not surprised by the allegations and that it's part of "their campaign of harassment" and attempt to defame his character following what he called a demotion in his standing in the district.
"Most of the problems in the business office they created themselves by removing me from any direct responsibility of managing affairs," he said.
With all the allegations leveled against him, Tenbusch said, "Frankly, I don't understand why if I'm guilty of all this wrongdoing, why am I still employed? Why are they still paying two superintendents?"
The board statement alleges that Tenbusch and former director of business affairs, April Jackson, did not answer questions from the board.
"We now know that the Business Office has been in complete chaos and disarray for the entire school year," according to the board statement.
The district did not renew Jackson's contract after the 2013-14 school year. Jackson has filed a lawsuit against board members Timothy Ranville, Mary Ann Dipzinski, Eric Wood, Henry Hatter and Steven Nordstrom.
Jackson's lawsuit claims violation of the Whistleblower's Protection Act, the state's Employee Right to Know Act and breach of contract after Jackson was placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 11, 2014.
The lawsuit states no reason was given for the action by the board at the time, as well as no specific notice of the allegations and failing to provide Jackson with records as to why her contract would not be renewed due to unsatisfactory performance.
Board President Mary Ann Dipzinski said she could not comment on the reason why Jackson's contract was not renewed, citing the litigation.
Clio has entered into a partnership with Swartz Creek schools for the 2014-15 school year and Jon Pechette has been hired to oversee finances in both districts.
The district claims violations of board policy, disruptions in pay and benefits, as well as unpaid taxes and other irregularities were uncovered during the last three months with help from the Genesee Intermediate School District,
GISD Superintendent Lisa Hagel said it provided help to maintain business operations for the district.
"Our staff, they worked with Dr. Tenbusch when he was there as they are working with Mr. Spears right now," Hagel said.
Tenbusch called the board's allegations baseless and malicious.
"I have all of the documents to prove them wrong," he said.
The board also claims that Tenbusch sent intimidating emails to a district worker who reported concerns to board about the business office.
The school board letter said they were "also concerned about an employee who has shown great courage and dedication to the Clio Area Schools. She has done more than we could ever expect from someone we place in the public trust."
The employee has not been named by the district.
"This employee's complaint was accurate and has led to the school district being placed on the right track again," according to the statement.
Tim Mullins, attorney for the Clio school district, said "the perversion of the issue" was that Tenbusch would attempt to quiet the employee, then bring his own lawsuit against the school district for alleged violation of the Whistleblower's Protection Act.
Tenbusch, had threatened to sue if he was not returned to the superintendent position, and recently filed a lawsuit against the district, Clio Education Association and board members Stephen Nordstrom, Eric Wood, Mary Ann Dipzinski, Timothy Ranville and Henry Hatter.
Tenbusch said, "People have to start asking questions" about the goings-on in the district.
"I warned the board two years ago how we were running into this deficit spending situation if we didn't start dealing realistically with staff cuts and unions," he said. "Instead of heeding my repeated written and verbal warnings -- a matter of public record -- an unnecessary lawsuit has been filed and the Board now chooses to blame me for the 'chaos' it has created and brought upon itself."
Speaking of the statement, Tenbusch said, "I find the board's most recent action against me, in its public statement, as baseless, irresponsible and shameful."
Dipzinski said she could not comment on the board statement because of pending litigation by Tenbusch.