CEDAR LAKE | A statement released Wednesday regarding former Hanover Superintendent Carol Kaiser put a positive spin on what had appeared to some as a rather murky situation.
One day after a parent criticized the School Board for not providing information about why Kaiser was put on leave and later resigned, Hanover Community School Corp. sent out a news release announcing Kaiser's official departure.
“Ms. Kaiser has decided to leave the School Corporation to pursue other opportunities,” the release stated. “During her four years as Superintendent, Ms. Kaiser put the school system’s budget on a sound footing, oversaw the Hanover Middle School (construction) and presided over dramatic improvement in student test scores.”
The statement also said Kaiser enjoyed her time at Hanover. The corporation appreciates her contributions and wishes her the best, according to the release.
Interim Superintendent Richard Cook was out of the office Wednesday afternoon, and School Board President Mary Joan Dickson did not return a phone call.
Attempts to reach Kaiser on Wednesday night were unsuccessful.
The board on Dec. 28 approved a motion accepting Kaiser’s resignation. The acceptance was contingent on Kaiser signing a board-approved severance agreement.
Kaiser had been on paid administrative leave through December. Hanover officials have consistently refrained from commenting on Kaiser’s departure.
Brian Bogenschneider objected to that policy during Tuesday's School Board meeting.
“You get rid of the superintendent and the taxpayers don’t have the right to know (what happened)?” Bogenschneider asked.
“You owe us an explanation,” he said. “I know you say you don’t have to (explain), but we’re taxpayers. We have the right to know.”
Kaiser had been superintendent since Nov. 1, 2008. Before her resignation, she had signed a new, three-year contract set to pay her $144,010 plus benefits annually.
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