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By Bill Tiedjebill@ouraynews.com Details of a brokered deal among Ridgway School Board members, involving the resignation of board member Bart Skalla in exchange for the resignation of Superintendent Cheryl Gomez and extension of secondary Principal Jim Bob Hobbs' contract, emerged during a special meeting of the board held on April 8. Formal resignation agreements with Gomez and secondary guidance counselor Rick Williams were accepted by the board Tuesday night, as well as an agreement to hire Steve Smith as interim superintendent. In a formal statement, board member Greg Lawler said four board members had made written statements asking for Skalla's resignation. The statement also listed Lawler's conclusions about the climate of the board and its workings. Responding to questioning from community member Darin Hill, Skalla said although he had offered his resignation at one point, he would no longer agree to resign, as the terms of the deal were changed. "The terms
By Bill Tiedjebill@ouraynews.com During the April 15 Ridgway School Board work session, Secondary School Principal Jim Bob Hobbs contended that the high school's academic achievement and growth met or exceeded state requirements and offered a seven page document in response to parents' and board members' statements at the board's previous meeting. The board also heard a formal statement by board member Bart Skalla, clarifying his use of "insurgency tactics" on the board. Skalla read aloud a statement regarding the previous board meeting and fellow board members' comments. "I was the one who first came up with the idea I would resign," stated Skalla, referencing a resignation pact to exchange his departure for that of Superintendent Cheryl Gomez as well as the extension of Hobbs’ contract.