Greenland School Board Fires Veteran Administrator

The Greenland School Board fired Janice Hardin because of dishonesty and insubordination, ending a 12-year career with the district.

The board voted 5-1 Wednesday to uphold the recommendation of Superintendent Larry Ben to terminate Hardin's contract. Ben suspended her with pay Sept. 15. Hardin requested the hearing before the School Board.

At A Glance

Janice Hardin

• Age: 67

• Years in Greenland: 12

• Salary: about $79,000

• Years in Arkansas education: 38

Source: Staff Report

Her attorney, Mary Ann Gunn, said Thursday she has advised Hardin to appeal the decision to Washington County Circuit Court.

"It's time for the court to review the record and the law," Gunn said. "The allegations had nothing to do with the quality of her work."

Hardin said Thursday she was fired because of a conversation she had with a School Board member who asked her for an informal evaluation of Ben. Hardin said she complied with Paula Schoonover's request because Schoonover promised it would be a confidential conversation and also because such a request can be made by a School Board member in accordance with district policy. Schoonover abstained from voting because of her involvement.

Ben outlined a list of 10 instances of Hardin's performance to support his recommendation for termination. The list included discussing personnel issues with board members and discussing an issue with a board member about classified staff members who weren't allowed to take regular federally mandated breaks in the morning and afternoon.

Ben claimed Hardin interfered in a high school issue after middle school students complained a high school teacher wouldn't let them attend events if they wore T-shirts with a cross design or a necklace with a cross pendant. Hardin said she asked students to put their complaints in writing and she would take them to the high school principal.

Ben said those instances represent Hardin being outside the responsibilities listed in her contract, outside the chain of command, and intervening in an area outside her responsibilities.

School Board member Dan Marzoni voted against the termination.

"This was an overreaction to the situation which never should have gotten to the board. It could have been handled by reprimand," Marzoni said Thursday. He also questioned if the process outlined in the Arkansas Teacher Fair Dismissal Act was followed to the letter.

Marzoni is a retired Fayetteville teacher who served two terms as the president of the Arkansas Education Association, a statewide teachers organization before his election to the Greenland School Board.

"The law requires attempts to mediate and correct the situation before you get to termination," Marzoni said. "I certainly don't want this to end up in court."

Hardin also questioned if the board followed the Arkansas Teacher Fair Dismissal Act.

In addition to her duties as professional development and testing coordinator, Hardin said she was the compliance officer for the district. She said she was concerned the district could be placed on probation for violating rules at the state and federal level, including not posting the district test scores on the website by mid-September as state law requires.

The School District was represented by David Matthews of Rogers. Charles Harwell, a Springdale lawyer, served as the hearing mediator.

NW News on 10/31/2014

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