At the January 4, 2024 Board of Education meeting at Otselic Valley, a board statement addressed administrative changes:
Thank you for coming tonight. Before we open up the Public Comment period, I wanted to share with you what facts we can share at this time. Multiple staff members brought some concerns to the Board regarding the Superintendent. After a discussion with the Board’s attorney, we determined an investigation was needed. It was impossible to conduct the investigation while the Superintendent was present at her job. Pending the outcome of the investigation, the Superintendent will remain on paid administrative leave. While we cannot tell you the nature of the allegations, we can let you know that there is no suspicion of criminal conduct, and the police are not involved. There are no safety concerns involved with the allegations either. In order for the District to continue to run smoothly, it is necessary for the Board to appoint an interim superintendent and interim business administrator. As the investigation proceeds, the District will share what information it can regarding the situation.
In a 4-0 vote (absent: Charlene Smith), the board appointed Mrs. Debra Kurtz as Interim Superintendent and Mr. Peter Mahunik as Interim Business Administrator.
Mrs. Kurtz previously served OV and other area school districts in interim capacities, including as Principal and CSE Chair, following 32 years at BOCES as a speech pathologist and a special education administrator. Her credentials covering interim superintendency include certification as both a School Administrator/Supervisor and School District Administrator.
Mr. Mahunik taught at OV for the first half of his career, then in 2005 became a School Business Administrator at Fabius-Pompey Central School District. After retirement in 2021, he continued to support four other districts in Central New York in an interim capacity before stepping in at OV.
It is also expected that the Board will address questions asked in public comment during the Jan. 4, 2024 board meeting, and that information will be posted on the district website when available.