The Superintendent of the Hamburg School District has been placed on administrative leave, a move that adds to a growing number of controversies within the district.
Following an early morning executive session Wednesday, Hamburg School Board members voted 7-0 in favor of placing Schools Superintendent Richard Jetter on administrative leave.
"The Board has placed Dr. Jetter on administrative leave," said Andrew Freedman, attorney for the district. "Assistant Superintendent Colleen Kanley has been named as acting superintendent. Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, there can be no further comment at this time."
Jetter is the subject of an investigation by Hamburg Police relating to conflicting reports of damage to his vehicle.
"The Board of Education has confirmed that the Village of Hamburg Police are conducting an investigation into certain matters concerning the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Richard Jetter," said Freedman. "The District will, of course, fully cooperate in that investigation. The board is also going to careful monitor the investigation as it unfolds."
At an earlier school board meeting a couple of months ago, Jetter said the damage was caused by vandals. It has since been reported that the damage occurred in another incident.
School board infighting has drawn media attention in recent weeks. A move has been afoot to have one board removed for alleged improprieties.
The high drama continue at Wednesday morning's meeting with more infighting. After emerging from a brief executive session, some board members were clearly angry. One member, Sally Stephenson, walked back into the board room on her cell phone talking to Hamburg Police.
There was apparently some type of incident between a board member at the schools' attorney. Police showed up while board members were in recess, but board members refused to discuss the matter with reporters after the meeting ended.
One parent says she was disgusted with the behavior of the board and reports of the investigation of Jetter.
Robert Johnston of Hamburg dubbed it a "circus."
"I'm disgusted. I'm fed up. The only solution I see is the whole board being replaced. The whole board should resign," said Johnston.