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Milton School Board could name interim superintendent

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Michael S. Garrow

MILTON — The Milton School Board could hire an interim superintendent as early as next week to fill the role of absent Superintendent Mike Garrow.

Board President Rob Roy confirmed that the board has an unnamed "consensus candidate" for interim superintendent and could agree on a contract for that candidate at a meeting Monday. The board met in closed session this week to discuss the position.

Garrow is on an "approved administrative leave of absence" through June 30. He has been on leave since Oct. 15. Roy confirmed Monday that Garrow is being paid during the leave.

Roy said the board likely will vote on a contract for interim superintendent Monday as part of the district's staffing report. At that time, he indicated the board would release the person's name.

Roy told The Gazette that several district employees applied to be interim superintendent. Roy declined Tuesday to identify the "consensus candidate," saying he wanted to wait for the board to reach a contract agreement and notify other candidates.

He said the contract would run through June 30, which marks the end of the budget year.

It's unclear whether Garrow will return to the district after his leave.

Roy said it's not known whether the board could extend the interim superintendent's contract or begin a new superintendent search if Garrow does not return after June 30.

"At that point, or at some point in the future, we'll have to decide if we need to do anything further," Roy said.

Central office staff and administrators are dividing up Garrow's work. Roy said they are not being paid extra.

The district has released few details about Garrow's leave since he last worked Oct. 15 after his father's death and amid several closed sessions on his employment.

The district, Garrow and the board have been mum on whether Garrow's leave involves a disciplinary or work performance issue. Garrow has said the leave has allowed him to deal with his father's death and "pursue his dreams."

The Gazette last week filed an open records request with the district seeking Garrow's contract, performance evaluations and details of his leave. Roy said the board has learned that Garrow plans to file addendums to those materials by Monday.

Roy said he's been dealing with Garrow's attorney over the records request and has not spoken directly with Garrow.

Under law, Garrow has five days from receiving a request for his personnel records to add additional information for rebuttals.

It remains to be seen what materials will be released. Garrow could mount a legal challenge to block all or parts of the open records request, Roy said, although he said he considers that move "unlikely."