Tempers flare over decision on Wasson

Muskego The decision to replace Muskego-Norway Superintendent Richard Wasson has divided the community.

Signs of this have included a confrontation Monday between School Board member Charles Damaske and a district administrator who allowed a new citizens group to hold a meeting in the central administration building over the Wasson issue.

The group is considering a recall drive and is demanding to know how much was spent on legal fees to remove Wasson, according to a representative.

According to witness reports provided by the district through an open records request, Damaske told administrators that if any of them were unhappy with Wasson's situation, "I'll be happy to find you another job somewhere else."

Later that night, dozens of people attended a School Board meeting, with about even numbers speaking for and against the decision on the superintendent.

All of this activity follows the board's decision last week not to renew Wasson's contract. The board agreed to a severance package worth up to $25,000 for relocation and job-placement services.

Wasson, 53, has been with the district since October 1991. His contract expires at the end of June. Meeting Confrontation

The catalyst for Monday's confrontation with Damaske was a meeting the day before by the group Citizens United for Education.

The group of some 20 local residents had signed a facility use form requesting permission to meet in the central administration office. They were allowed to use the facility by Jean Henneberry, director of human resources.

The group, an offshoot of the superintendent's Parent Advisory Council, was meeting to consider the board's handling of Wasson's contract and the impact of that decision on the quality of education, said Paula Martinez, one of the group's organizers.

In an interview Tuesday, Damaske acknowledged that he had gone to the central office Monday to chastise those involved for allowing the parents group into the building.

Damaske accused Henneberry of exceeding her authority. He said the citizens group was political and that its use of the facility required board approval.

Adding fuel to the fire was a letter to the editor in a local newspaper, signed by eight members of the district's central administration, that supported Wasson and his work. The letter was written days before the vote against renewing Wasson's contract.

Damaske said he told administrators if they weren't happy, they should seek employment elsewhere. He said he wasn't meek but wasn't threatening, either.

However, statements filed by district employees after the confrontation described Damaske as rude and "threatening," and that Damaske was "demanding and angry."

Damaske acknowledged that he and Wasson had a heated exchange after the superintendent encountered the group and accused Damaske of upsetting the employees.

Wasson's attempt to deliver a report on the situation at Monday night's board meeting was sidetracked by Board President Linda LeMaster, who said the issue was a personnel matter that should be discussed in closed session. Residents' Opinions Vary

Local residents delivered a variety of opinions on the superintendent at Monday night's meeting. Supporters of the board echoed Damaske's sentiments, saying administrators should not take public positions at odds with the board.

One said the board was elected by the public and should not be second-guessed. Another suggested doing away completely with the superintendent's post.

Critics of the board, including some members of the citizens group, said the superintendent had only been with the district for a short time when board members turned against him without good reason. They said the district would suffer from the rapid turnover of leadership.

Copyright 1995
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