Madison superintendent placed on paid administrative leave

MADISON TOWNSHIP - Madison Local School District Superintendent Shelley Hilderbrand was placed on paid administrative leave during an emergency board meeting Friday afternoon.

Board president Jeff Meyers confirmed the board voted 5-0 to put Hilderbrand on paid leave.

"This is all being done on the advisement of our attorney," Meyers said. "We don't want to do or say something wrong."

Meyers said he could not comment on a personnel matter, adding the district will need an interim superintendent.

"I think our actions speak for themselves," the board president said.

Hilderbrand, who was hired in August 2017 on a three-year contract, has been the subject of controversy in recent months.

Issues of concern have ranged from the district's implementation of a mandatory STEM curriculum this school year to the future of the old junior high school property and rumors about Mifflin Elementary School.

Several Madison parents, community members and students have called for Hilderbrand's removal from the district, with some saying there's a lack of transparency, trust and communication between the Madison district and the community.

The board met Wednesday in executive session for three hours without taking any action or making any announcements. Hundreds of community members attended the meeting.

Meyers said the board went into the closed session to consider an investigation of charges or complaints against a public official or employee.

At the time, the board president said he could not identify which public official or employee was being discussed. Hilderband and treasurer Robin Klenk were absent from Wednesday's meeting.

Before school that day, students gathered in the parking lot to protest against Hilderbrand after nearly a dozen students received in-school detention after criticizing her on Twitter last week.

“I’m glad the community was able to come together to help reach a solution," said Madison senior Kane Feldhake, one of the first students to send a tweet saying Hilderbrand should lead the district, of the board's vote.

Madison senior and student body representative Goldielyn Pagaspas said she's looking forward to seeing a new person in the superintendent's position and getting answers from the board at its meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Madison Middle School, 1419 Grace St.

"I think that despite the controversial success of the protest, the board knew the importance of this matter to not only the students but the whole Madison community and ultimately made the wisest decision they could make," she said Friday. "Overall, I think I can speak for most that we are very happy with the decision."

Emily Mills contributed reporting.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill