Pleasantville board places superintendent on administrative leave and names interim superintendent

In remarks during board comments at the April 28 special meeting, board member Miss Harris moved to place the superintendent on administrative leave effective immediately and direct that all contact with the district go through the board solicitor. The motion carried by roll call.

Miss Harris put the motion to the board: "I want to make a motion to put the superintendent on administrative leave and effective immediately, and that all contact with the district will go through the board solicitor." The motion was seconded; roll-call votes recorded five yes, two no, and one abstention, and the motion passed.

Shortly afterward, the board moved to appoint Felicia Hyman Medley as interim superintendent effective immediately. The motion to appoint Medley was seconded and passed with five yes votes and three abstentions; attendees reacted with cheering when the appointment was announced. The board recorded that any communications would be handled by the board solicitor while the interim arrangement is in place.

Why it matters: the board's personnel actions change the district's leadership during a contentious budget process. The interim appointment and direction to route communications through the board solicitor centralize contact and will affect who speaks publicly and manages district operations while the board specifies next steps.

The board did not state a timeline for the leave or for how long the interim appointment will last; the board solicitor and board office are responsible for implementing the change and confirming details.