BOE Won't Renew Superintendent's Contract

The Board of Education has decided not to renew the contract of Schools Superintendent Walter Hrycenko, Brick Patch has confirmed.

A discussion on Hrycenko's contract took place at a closed session meeting of the board which took place after the May 19 public session. The closed-door session was required by law since a personnel matter was being discussed.

Board President Sharon Kight said that a majority of board members voted after the closed session not to renew Hrycenko's superintendent contract, which runs through June 30, 2012. If Hrycenko does not leave the district before that date, he will return to the position of assistant superintendent, the last position to which he holds tenure.

Additionally, Kight said, Assistant Superintendent Patricia Lorusso will return to the position of principal, her last tenured position.

"After reviewing the information given to me and the other board members, we all voted what we thought was in the best interest of the district moving forward," said Kight, adding that she would refrain from further comment to respect Hrycenko's privacy.

Hrycenko, who has led the district since the start of the 2009-10 school year, will make $185,500 as superintendent during the 2011-12 school year. Lorusso, whose contract began July 1, 2010, will make $145,099 during the 2011-12 school year.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that Hrycenko and Lorusso have the potential to return to previous positions. The original version of this article included wording by its author that they would be 'demoted.'