Board won't say why Westbrook principal is on leave

Mount Prospect District 57 officials kept quiet about their reasons for putting Westbrook Principal Jan Ewing on paid leave while more than 30 parents and teachers spoke up in her defense Thursday.

"Jan Ewing is the greatest person," said parent Lisa Smorczewski. "I don't know what happened, but we need her back."

More than 100 parents attended the standing-room-only meeting, many wearing green, Westbrook's official color. Ewing has been on leave since Sept. 7. She has said she wants to return to her position and will not resign. The school board met in closed session Thursday but didn't vote on whether to terminate her two-year contract.

However, board President Joseph Leane said a decision will be coming "as soon as possible, but we have not set a date yet."

He asked parents to trust board members, who were unable to disclose why Ewing was placed on leave. He did dispel one rumor that it was because Ewing missed one meeting with district administrators.

"Ask yourself if that sounds ridiculous," he said. "We understand this is frustrating and we have heard loud and clear that there is much support for Ms. Ewing in the community."

Despite Leane's comments, District 57 parents spent almost two hours sticking up for Ewing. Many also expressed frustration with the district's new outsourced bus system while in front of the microphone.

Laura Mariani said her son comes home from Westbrook and wants to know if his principal has been fired.

"What should I tell him?" she said. "Every day that you let go by is another day you let the rumors fly."

Ewing said that since she began as principal in July 2007, her annual evaluations have been satisfactory. In July of this year, she was given a two-year contract to continue in her position. In 2009, she earned about $129,000.

A few days ago, Ewing provided the Daily Herald with several letters and e-mails between her and the superintendent in the days leading up to her suspension.

On Sept. 3 Ewing said she was visited by District 57 Superintendent Elaine Aumiller and Assistant Superintendent Susan Woodrow with news about her job.

"They told me that I had a choice to be put on administrative leave or to choose to go on leave on my own due to insubordination (for) not attending (an) August 30th meeting," she wrote.

Ewing was referring to a meeting she missed because of another meeting to discuss the school's busing arrangements.

Parents weren't told about Ewing's leave until a memo from Aumiller went home to parents the first week of September.

"I need to inform you of a change that Westbrook School will be experiencing beginning Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010," the memo states. "Westbrook Principal Mrs. Jan Ewing will be on administrative leave with pay for the next few weeks. ... The length of Mrs. Ewing's leave has not yet been determined, but we will keep you informed."

Calls to Ewing and her lawyer were not returned this week. She was not at Thursday's board meeting.

Quiet: District dispels rumor leave resulted from missed meeting

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