Over the last few months, she has been very vocal and very adamant about her support for Dr. Russo continuing as our superintendent. Now that Dr. Russo has taken a job in Virginia, she seems to be whistling a new tune. She was quoted in the March 19 edition of The Pilot as saying, ‘“We both felt it was in the best interest of the community for him to take another position. Had we not released that money, he may have chosen not to take another job.”
Whoa, whoa, whoa. When exactly did Ms. Hayes begin feeling it would be in the “best interest of the community” for Dr. Russo to leave? Is she implying that there was some sort of mutually agreed-upon terms of separation before Russo announced his departure? So they agreed to give him $100,000 in return for his resignation? You know, to the average Joe, that sounds a little like either bribery or blackmail.
Of course, I’m sure it was neither. It was more likely two parties trying to part on good terms at the end of a long and difficult situation. Too bad Ms. Hayes didn’t consider her words more carefully before speaking to the press. Our community is already divided enough without her ill-conceived comments further clouding the issues.
Dr. Russo did not fulfill the terms of his contract; therefore he didn’t “earn” that money. It could have been used to pay our debt to the state. Of course, we would still need to find $4,000. Perhaps we could get that much additional money from one of our vending contracts?
And the hits just keep on coming.
Cheryl Bowman
West End
