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Milton School Board: Garrow to stay on leave

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Press release from School District of Milton regarding administrative leave of District Administrator Michael Garrow.

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Michael S. Garrow

MILTON — Milton School District Superintendent Mike Garrow will be on hiatus for the rest of the school year, district officials announced Monday night.

After a nearly two-hour closed session to discuss Garrow's employment, the board released a news release stating he will not return during the 2012-13 school year.

The release, which came with little comment from the board, says the board and Garrow have "mutually agreed" that Garrow will "remain on approved leave of absence through June 30, 2013."

Before Monday's meeting, the board met five times in closed session in the past two months to evaluate Garrow as a district employee, officials said. Board President Rob Roy said Monday's closed session dealt with discussion of Garrow's "approved leave," which Garrow has said he requested.

Garrow's leave started Oct. 15, officials said.

In the news release, Garrow offered this statement:

"Recently, my father passed away, creating a void in my family. Since his passing, it has been a difficult time with my own personal family issues family issues continuing to this day.

"However, this unfortunate event has also allowed time for reflection. I have had the opportunity to consider what is truly important, as well as to take into account that ‘life is short,' and that we should live each day to the fullest—pursuing our dreams."

Roy said he was not sure whether Garrow plans to return to the district after his leave ends.

"That would have to be something we discuss as a later date as a board with Dr. Garrow," Roy said.

When asked if there was any concrete reason why Garrow might not return, Roy said, "He might choose not to."

Garrow could not immediately be reached for comment.

Roy also refused comment Monday about whether Garrow's leave has been paid since Oct. 15, and whether Garrow would be on paid leave the rest of the year.

"It's a personnel issue, and right now I'm not going to comment," Roy said.

Roy said the five closed session board meetings leading up to Monday's announcement were part of the "regular evaluation process" for Garrow as a district employee. Roy said Monday's meeting dealt with Garrow's ongoing leave.

Roy would not comment on any details of those closed session meetings, and he would not say whether any of the discussions in those meetings dealt with an employee disciplinary matter.

He said the meetings just "happened to coincide" with Garrow's approved leave.

District administrators have been splitting up Garrow's duties during his leave, officials said.

Roy said the district has not decided whom it will appoint as interim superintendent for the rest of the school year, but he said the board plans an upcoming meeting to make the appointment "without delay."