GREENFIELD — Three of Greenfield-Central Schools’ highest-ranking officials were put on a nearly two-week paid administrative leave this month, and then one unceremoniously retired Friday after more than a decade on the job.
But the district’s leaders are remaining tightlipped as to the nature of a “concern” that prompted a recent internal investigation and a special meeting of the board of trustees Monday, during which the suspensions and retirement were approved unanimously.
Records show Greenfield-Central’s business manager Tony Zurwell and assistant superintendents Ann Vail and Christy Hilton were each put on paid administrative leave starting Sept. 12 and continuing through Sept. 21.
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Vail and Hilton have returned to work; but Zurwell submitted a letter to the school board announcing his retirement.
After approving the administrative leaves and the retirement, the board also approved the hiring of Nathan Day of Greenfield as the interim business manager, per the recommendation of Superintendent Harold Olin.
Olin previously told the Daily Reporter that he and the school board “did have a concern to investigate” in recent days, and they “followed standard protocols” in investigating that concern. He said that after meeting in a closed, executive session last week, the board decided to have a public, special meeting Monday to “take care of some personnel matters.”
In a brief interview Friday and again Monday following the meeting, Olin declined to elaborate on the nature of the concern or the investigation that followed, citing personnel privacy.
Vail and Hilton have been with the district for more than 10 years. Though they share the title of assistant superintendent, traditionally, Vail takes the lead on student curriculum development while Hilton plays a more human resources-focused role.
Zurwell held the business manager’s post for 13 years. The job required him to oversee the district’s finances and bank accounts, while also supervising the food services department.
In his retirement notice, Zurwell thanked the board “for allowing me to work in such a wonderful school district.” A copy of the note was released to the Daily Reporter by Olin.
“This announcement comes with a heavy heart as you and the people who worked with me made it a pleasure to come to work each day,” Zurwell wrote. “However, I would really like to focus on my family, and I’ve always had difficulty separating that priority from the compulsion to pour myself into my work.”
“Thank you for the memories, and I wish you every success in the future,” he added before his signature.
Zurwell, Vail and Hilton — who typically sit alongside the five school board members at board meetings — were not present at Monday’s meeting.
At press time, Zurwell and Hilton had not returned calls or emails sent by the Daily Reporter, requesting comment on this story.
Vail replied to an email, saying only “I am pleased to return to work on the district’s curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development.”
About two dozen community members, as well as some district administrators, attended Monday’s board meeting. They chatted among themselves as the school board met in a scheduled executive session in another part of the building.
A hush fell over the crowd as the five board members, the superintendent and the district’s attorney filed into the main meeting room at the district’s administration center, 700 N. Broadway, Greenfield.
The public meeting lasted about two minutes and thirty seconds — which included time to say the Pledge of Allegiance. In total, three votes were called for — to approve the administrative leaves, to approve the retirement and new hire, to adjourn for the day — and each was approved unanimously as presented by Olin.