Public calls for superintendent’s termination as Middletown board faces ongoing legal concerns
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Summary
Dozens of speakers urged the Middletown board to terminate the superintendent’s contract, citing past settlements and an active EEOC complaint; the board heard both calls for termination and praise for the acting superintendent but took no termination vote.
Dozens of community members used the board’s public-comment period on Dec. 11 to press trustees to terminate the superintendent’s contract amid litigation and an active EEOC complaint, while others praised the acting superintendent and district staff for improving school climate.
Terry Randolph, identifying himself as a taxpayer and business owner in the district, urged trustees to "terminate the superintendent's employment effective immediately with a contractually required severance payout and a one-time final resolution," citing prior administrator lawsuits and an August 5, 2025 EEOC charge he said remains active. Randolph said continued legal costs have diverted money "that belongs in classrooms, not courtrooms." (Terry Randolph)
Other speakers echoed concerns about fiscal exposure. An unnamed former board member and national Libertarian Party delegate, Nicole Hewson, warned trustees against approving spending the community cannot afford and criticized board procedure and governance. Several speakers also criticized a recently debated policy change—an alleged district response modeled after a separate district's incident—calling it racially coded.
Not all public comment sought removal. One parent said school culture has "seen a tremendous change" and credited the district’s recent leadership for reducing negative incidents and improving morale, calling for the board to "continue to consider this positive impact" in its decisions. Another former employee and community leader urged structural change and accountability but framed it as long-term leadership reform rather than a single personnel action.
Board members did not take a formal vote to terminate the superintendent during the meeting. Earlier sessions referenced in public comment included a Nov. 20 workshop where a motion to reinstate the superintendent failed 5–4, and speakers at this meeting asked trustees to place termination on a future agenda for consideration.
The public-comment block closed without a board decision on termination. The board continued with scheduled business, including approvals for facilities work, a county memorandum of agreement and personnel items. Trustees did not publicly dispute the factual claims raised about past settlements and the EEOC charge during the meeting; the statements remain allegations recorded in public comment.
