CENTER– The second half of a Colorado Open Records Act request from Center Schools was released last week by Interim Superintendent Lori Cooper, consisting of two emails sent to the Board of Education by former superintendent Chris Vance and three emails returned to Vance by Board of Education members.
Vance was placed on administrative leave by the Center School Board July 6 pending the investigation of “allegations of misconduct” involving a personnel matter. He resigned last week, with the effective date of his resignation given as July 26.
In the first email, Vance wrote to all school board members on June 30: “I am aware of the rumor circulating currently about me and another person. There are parts that are true but not nearly too the degree as that is being spread. There is a large amount of information that has been erroneously exaggerated. There are two sides to every story and my side will not be told publicly… This is not school business. I have not violated school policy nor any law. My story and attention to this matter will remain private… I apologize that this private matter had surfaced in the way that it did.”
One school board member responded: “I’m sorry to hear this is happenning Chris, i do respect your privacy and hope it all gets cleared up without to much problem, i assure you that as a the school board we want the best for all whom are involved. Keep your head up, we will only do what is fair and right for the school and staff. Lets keep calm and resolve this by uncovering the truth but also respecting everyones privacy if possible.”
Vance wrote again to all school board members July 2: “I am writing to reiterate that we have policy that governs how we deal with situations within the school district. NO board member is above these policies including the president… School board members cannot investigate anything unless the board has agreed on it. To my knowledge, there has been no public meeting in which this was determined. This is not school business nor have I violated any policy. Actions as stated above can legally compromise the school district. You should consider calling a special public meeting to discuss with all board members along with myself.”
The same board member quoted above responded July 2: “Sounds good to me, whatever we need to do is fine, just let me know what is needed.”
Another board member also responded: “We’ll get this taken care of.”
A series of executive sessions was held but no official investigation was conducted. A source close to the school board reported that Vance also told a school board member privately the matter under discussion was no one else’s business but his. Before it could be decided if an investigation should be pursued, Vance resigned and settled out his contract with the district.
A Del Norte parent confirmed last week that before Vance was hired in Center, similar rumors were brought to the attention of the school board there while he was principal at the school.