The firing Friday of a beloved Decatur High School employee -- one for whom affection ran so deep that news of her termination inspired hundreds of emails, a rally attended by graduates across the years and a public show of support by her colleagues -- was based on several factors, according to her attorney, none of which is likely to assuage her supporters.
Because the list released by Susan Riley's attorney David Hughes will not strike the average person as sufficient grounds for City Schools of Decatur to fire a 19-year veteran with exemplary reviews until a new manager this year.
Credit: Maureen Downey
Credit: Maureen Downey
Given the passion of testimony in Riley's favor at Monday's rally -- tearful students testified her comfort and counseling saved their lives and parents shared their children would never have survived high school without Riley -- the outrage is unlikely to abate in the face of the stated termination causes. Students and parents at the rally repeatedly called Riley the "most beloved woman" in the school.
Among the charges detailed at a meeting this week with Riley, her attorney and new Decatur Schools Superintendent David Dude:
- Riley took home an iPad overnight, one that was bought for her use and checked out to her.
- She failed to follow her new manager's job plan for her.
- She complained to the administration about how her co-workers treated her.
- And then Riley talked about the fact she filed a complaint.
As Dude told me at the rally, he was unaware of the "scope" of Riley's standing in the community and school when he dismissed her without explanation Friday; he may have not known that she not only helped many students who felt invisible in the school but she rescued faculty with technology problems. (As a clerk, Riley is an at-will employee without the due process rights accorded teachers.)
Credit: Maureen Downey
Credit: Maureen Downey
Someone commented on Facebook this whole mess reflects the corporate nature of school districts now, where leaders are not grown up within the system but found in national job searches, as was Dude who came from Iowa to Decatur only four months ago.
These corporate hires, said the commenter, arrive not knowing the history or the people, and this Decatur case seems a prime example.
After classes dismissed Wednesday, Dude convened a meeting to caution all the high school teachers not to discuss Riley's firing in class as he warned it was inappropriate and the City Schools of Decatur's reputation was at stake. He also said teachers may be asked to talk to an independent investigator -- yet to be named -- who is going to review Riley's firing in light of the community uproar.
So, Riley remains on paid leave. The community outrage over her firing led Dude to issue a statement on Sunday that he was revisiting the issue and putting her on the leave.
I asked City Schools of Decatur for a response to Riley's attorney's statement. Here it is:
We ask that all stakeholders exercise patience and give Dr. Dude a chance to complete the independent review he has committed to doing, and allow CSD to work with Ms. Riley and her attorney privately regarding this sensitive and confidential matter. In the meantime, Dr. Dude will work, with full support of the Board, to continue focusing our work on educating students.
Here is the full statement from David Hughes, Riley's attorney:
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