Schools: Another on paid leave
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 29, 2009 1:46 PM
A second employee of the Wayne County Public Schools has been placed on administrative leave with pay during an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation, school officials have announced.
The district initially reported last week that Sprunt Hill, assistant superintendent for auxiliary services, had been placed on administrative leave with pay effective Dec. 17.
School district officials remained quiet about the particulars of the investigation, citing it is a "personnel matter."
Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders confirmed that the situation is connected to an ongoing investigation by the SBI involving school system facilities and operations.
School officials said that another staff member, Danny Langley, had been placed on administrative leave with pay Oct. 8. Langley is director of maintenance for the school system.
Olivia Pierce, executive director of community relations for the Wayne County Public Schools, has deferred any comments on the investigation to law enforcement officials.
Wayne Schools Superin-tendent Dr. Steven Taylor said school officials are looking into the situation themselves as well as cooperating with all law enforcement agencies involved.
"Wayne County Public Schools is fully cooperating with all outside agencies who are involved in any investigations and we are continuing our own internal investigations," Taylor said.
"Our primary focus remains on our 19,000-plus students," Taylor added. "We will continue to build on the academic successes that our students experienced this past year and our building program will move forward as planned."
Hill, who has worked in the education field for nearly 30 years, oversees the day-to-day school operations, including custodial work, maintenance, technology support and transportation.
He was instrumental in helping create the district's facilities plan and in overseeing construction and renovation of school facilities.
Mrs. Pierce has said that Hill's duties will be divided among current staff members and that the school system will continue to move forward with regard to ongoing repairs and expansion projects.