WEST RUTLAND, Vt. -
Questions in West Rutland over why a school principal was fired.
Dozens of residents attended a public meeting and voiced concerns over the school board's decision to let Principal Juanita Burch-Clay go. She had only been on the job at the West Rutland School for a year.
More than 40 taxpayers have signed a petition calling for the resignation of two board members. And 28 have joined a lawsuit alleging the board violated open meeting clause, by not putting the matter on the agenda, holding private meetings about the principal and even changing public record.
"What they've done is they've hidden behind executive session laws to fulfill a personal agenda. They don't listen to the taxpayers and the parents and they are not transparent," said Jennifer Fredreck, a concerned parent.
The principal has filed an appeal. The school board's attorney had not returned our calls when this story was published.
The superintendent did not attend the meeting and declined to comment. In an email she said the matter was confidential.
