Lewis in separation talks with school board

Written By: Jonathan Cribbs
4/2/10
Categorized in: DeKalb News, Education

The DeKalb County Board of Education is in talks with Superintendent Crawford Lewis about a separation agreement, board member Jay Cunningham said.

Lewis stepped down temporarily last month amid police searches of his home and office, and a looming $115 million budget deficit in connection with a long-term investigation into school construction projects. Ramona Tyson, deputy chief superintendent of business operations, stepped up to replace Lewis.

Cunningham declined to speak in more detail April 2, merely confirming published comments that board Chair Thomas Bowen made that day. The discussions have occurred in a number of closed-door executive session meetings the board has held since the announcement on Feb. 25 that Lewis would step down, board members said.

Lewis’ attorney, Mike Brown, declined comment.

Lewis has retained his $255,000 salary while on leave through a contract he signed with the board earlier this year that expires in 2013. When his resignation was announced Bowen told reporters Lewis could return after the construction investigation finished or when the board felt it appropriate to invite him back.

Comments (5)

mav

Said this on 4/16/10 At 08:38 pm

It's not only teachers alone that suffers in school system. What about the custodians? They are the ones that work hard with little pay and in turn is paying Mr. Lewis' salary and he has not even the respect to say hello to them when he visit the schools. He have a heart to be spending tax payers money for he and his family's comfort. He should have been gone a long time.

Jackhe

Said this on 4/7/10 At 11:06 pm

Strange thing is you have heard much of this in the regular news reporting, other than he is on paid leave at the expense of the taxpayers in Dekalb County. I believe it is high time that Mr. Lewis is let go to enable the school system to move forward with the selection of a new superintendent. That said, it is also high time that the school board look at the mistakes of the past and try not to repeat them or else we may face the same fate as Clayton County.

Jackhe

EAV

Said this on 4/6/10 At 07:18 am

Dekalb school board is treating him differently because he is black. He is obviously not trustworthy and has criminal values. Fire him now.

tee it high

Said this on 4/5/10 At 02:49 pm

This guy seems to have fallen into an entitlement "working the system" mentality - come on, he says he puts in the wrong gas with his county card and then siphones it out - and refills - and THAT is his explanation for multiple fill ups on a single day that tax payers pay for?!?!? How about this, "yeah a have a county gas card - I did not know I was not supposed to fill up my car, my kids car, my wife's car - is that wrong?"

This guy has done enough little stupid things to suggest he can not be trusted - and all this while accepting a pay raise at the same time they are cutting teacher's pay through forced furloughs! Get the bum out! The only interest he has in his job is how to line his pockets with our tax dollars!

Arcticdreamer

Said this on 4/5/10 At 10:03 am

Why separation talks? What is there to negotiate?

New comments are currently disabled.

Archived News