External search under way for interim replacement
Citing substandard leadership, Benjamin Logan Schools’ board of education members affirmed its decision Sunday to place superintendent Dave Harmon on paid administrative leave.
Action taken by school board members during the early-morning special session also noted that written reprimands have been previously placed in the superintendent’s personnel file.
The board has lost confidence in Harmon’s capacity to effectively lead the school district, and an external search is under way to find a qualified applicant to serve as superintendent going forward, according to discussion.
School board members on Sunday did approve a superintendent pro tempore to lead the district until a formal interim superintendent could be named.
Current high school principal Mark Butler will lead the district until at least May 4, when the school board hopes to officially name an interim superintendent. Butler’s appointment will not come with any pay increase, the board said.
April 22, two days after placing Harmon on administrative leave, school board members inquired to Butler about his interest in the position in the intermediate and/or long-term. Butler told them that while he would accept the post for now, the district would be better off appointing someone with previous working knowledge as a superintendent.
The school board also conducted an executive session near the conclusion of its special meeting Sunday, and no action was taken.