Gail Conley is currently serving as the interim superintendent in the Barre Supervisory Union. He has served as superintendent of schools for the Chittenden East SU from 1994 to 2005, and prior to that was a superintendent, principal and teacher in Illinois.
Dick Moser was the superintendent of schools in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, from 1990 to 2007. He was also the superintendent of schools in the Washington West SU from 1986 to 1990. Prior to that, he served as a principal and teacher in Missouri and Pennsylvania.
Both candidates will be visiting the WWSU on March 18 meeting with administrators, teachers and community members at 4 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the 4 p.m. meeting.
The WWSU board will be interviewing finalists in executive session at 5:30 p.m.
Current superintendent Bob McNamara is resigning at the end of this school year in June. The Washington West Supervisory Union board held one round of interviews with prospective candidates but did not hire anyone, leading to a search for an interim superintendent.
Moser's tenure at WWSU marked by Altman case
When
Dick Moser was superintendent at WWSU from mid 1986 to 1990, he was
involved in a protracted legal battle against a Harwood Union teacher
and the teachers’ union.
In October 1987 Moser first suspended, then fired history teacher Bill
Altman, sparking a student strike. At issue was the charge that Altman
shared a parent’s letter criticizing his teaching with a colleague and
a student.
After the suspension, the Harwood board voted to dismiss Altman. Altman
challenged the board’s right to dismiss him and sued the board. An
independent arbitrator upheld the original suspension but ordered
Altman reinstated with back pay. The school board appealed that
decision to Superior Court where the decision was upheld and Altman
returned to work, with $60,000 in back pay. Ultimately, as part of a
settlement, Moser was required to write a letter of apology to Altman
after rescinding the suspension in 1989. The entire case cost WWSU
$112,000 in legal fees.
Moser left the district, taking a position in Chelmsford, MA, in the summer of 1990.
{loadnavigation}
