Ventura inks superintendent sharing deal

Move to share G-H leader prompted by unexpected shake-up

    The Ventura School Board approved a one-year superintendent sharing agreement with the Garner-Hayfield School District in a special meeting Monday, July 25.  Ventura will pay 50 percent of Tyler Williams’ $150,000 salary, plus benefit package.  
    The Board unanimously supported the agreement.   The Garner-Hayfield board also approved the sharing Monday night.

    The move was necessitated by the unexpected announcement last week of an early retirement by Ventura Superintendent Brian Rodemeyer.  Rodemeyer received word that a district court judge upheld an eight-month suspension levied against him by the Board of Educational Examiners.    
    Rodemeyer agreed in 2009 to take the necessary coursework for a temporary superintendent certification when asked by the Ventura Board to serve as superintendent, as well as remain as elementary school principal.  There was confusion between Rodemeyer and the Department of Education in regards to the number of credits needed to serve with a temporary license. The Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) directed the school board to withdraw Rodemeyer’s contract in February 2010 and filed a complaint against Rodemeyer.  He stepped down and continued to serve as elementary principal. After hearing the complaint, an administrative law judge recommended a one-month suspension for violation of the license, but the BOEE final order called for an eight-month suspension. Rodemeyer appealed the suspension, but it was upheld by a Kossuth County District Court judge.
    Ventura School Board President Larry Costello said he and board members were both surprised and frustrated by the BOEE’s actions.  In fact, Board Vice President Carol Prescott has- Read More Via e-Edition