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Board tables Austintown schools chief’s pact extension
AUSTINTOWN
After a 31/2-hour meeting Thursday night, Austintown Board of Education members tabled the decision to extend Superintendent Vince Colaluca’s contract.
The extension would’ve been for three years.
Board President Kathy Mock said the board was going to have a “lengthy discussion” to decide where to go from here.
“I really want us to be able to move forward for not only the sake of our students, but also for Austintown Township,” she said.
Fitch High School’s lunchroom was filled with concerned community members regarding this hot-button topic, and many voiced their opinions.
Parent Mandy Richmond asked the board how it could consider approving Colaluca’s contract extension with more than 1,500 parent signatures asking them not to.
“If the extension is approved, I promise you we are pursuing you for an entire board replacement. ... They can make the change for you,” she said.
When Brian Sahli was reminded of his time limit, he said he had a reminder of his own for the board.
“Please remember that you work for me – for us,” he said.
Jennie Andrews joined those questioning the adequacy of the board to represent the district.
“When a news station is told by administration that they should only listen to the superintendent and the president of the board because they are the only qualified voices of our district, this is a problem,” she said.
Jim Murphy agreed.
“When Mr. [Alex] Benyo was sworn it, he agreed to abide by the constitution, was he not? I’m a war veteran, and I didn’t have bombs flying over me to be told to shut my mouth by some dictator, and that breaks the First Amendment,” he said. “We’re telling you plain as day what we want. Please honor it; choose what is right.”
Jill Avery said she worried all of the great things the Austintown school system has done and represents will be tarnished if the board votes to extend Colaluca’s contract.
“This is not personal. [He is] a nice guy, but not the right guy,” she said.
Avery said the loss of teachers and poor communication shows the need for change in the superintendent position.
She said to the board, “Protect your legacy by listening to the community and listening to us.”
Colaluca said in response that he thinks a lot of members who spoke out believe in misconceptions, but he appreciates their input – and if they have a solution to Austintown’s current problems, he encourages them to come forward.
“The question is, is there something we are not providing our students? I think we are providing our students an exemplary education,” he said.
Colaluca added that despite being offered other opportunities in education, he has chosen to stay in Austintown.
“I do love being a part of this place,” he said. “I love being part of the Falcon family.”