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Wolf Creek superintendent resigns, but retained as consultant through July

(Meeting Updates - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

WATERFORD — The Wolf Creek Local Board of Education voted Monday night to accept the superintendent’s resignation, but agreed he will work from home for the next seven months.

The board cast the 5-0 vote following a closed, executive session that lasted nearly two hours, Interim Superintendent Bob Caldwell said by phone following a special meeting Monday in the Waterford High School library.

Besides the vote to enter executive session, the only item on the agenda was the resignation of Superintendent Doug Baldwin, which, per the approved resolution, was effective at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

The school district announced on its Facebook page last week that Baldwin, who has been superintendent since 2016, was asked to step down and placed on a leave of absence. The reason for the move was not disclosed.

“The Board of Education and Mr. Baldwin have had a parting of the ways,” said Caldwell, who returned as interim superintendent. Caldwell retiring in 2016 after 19 years in the role.

Asked if he could elaborate further on the decision, Caldwell declined, noting the district has engaged legal counsel.

The resolution includes the employment of Baldwin as “special assistant superintendent to transition” starting Tuesday until July 31 when his contract was set to end.

“He’s working from home as a consultant,” Caldwell said.

Baldwin will maintain his salary and benefits and be paid $78,323.43 during that time, Caldwell said.

“The only thing that actually changed was the title. You cannot have two superintendents,” he said.

Caldwell is being paid on a per diem basis of $800 a day. He said he is not sure how long he will serve but “it will not exceed the end of June.”

A search for a permanent superintendent will begin as soon as possible, Caldwell said.

The board went into executive session shortly after the meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Monday and returned at 8:20 p.m., Caldwell said. After the meeting adjourned, he said, he and board members stayed to field questions from the public.

About 25 people attended the meeting, Caldwell said.

Baldwin did not return a call seeking comment.

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