Milton schools to release records on Garrow's leave this week
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Michael S. Garrow
MILTON — Milton School Board officials say the district might not release records about Superintendent Mike Garrow's paid leave until late this week.
The Gazette submitted an open records request Nov. 29 seeking details of a complaint and an investigation into Garrow's conduct and details of an agreement by the board to pay Garrow through June 30 while he's on an "administrative leave of absence."
Until now, the board has been mum on details of a complaint about Garrow's conduct that apparently prompted the district to put him on leave while it investigated. Under law, the district had to give Garrow time to augment records that The Gazette requested or make a rebuttal.
District officials earlier said that Garrow had a deadline of Tuesday to submit the materials.
Board President Rob Roy, who is acting as the district's spokesman on Garrow's leave, said the district has received materials from Garrow, but release of the records has been delayed and possibly won't happen until Friday.
Roy said he was getting up to speed after having a medical procedure Wednesday, and he was unable to comment.
Board member Betsy Lubke said that she's been involved in the district's handling of the records request. She said Garrow has turned in his materials, but he has asked the district to include additional materials with the records it gives The Gazette.
"We received Mike's augmentation and a request from him to release additional documentation," Lubke said.
Lubke said it's taking extra time because the board is getting help from legal counsel to compile the documents that Garrow wants included.
"We just have to walk through everything and make sure everything is correct," Lubke said.
The board has not said whether the complaint, the investigation or its findings have anything to do with Garrow's ongoing leave.
The board in November agreed to give Garrow full pay and benefits while he remains on leave through June 30.
Garrow's contract runs through June 2014, according to district records. It's not clear if the terms of Garrow's ongoing leave agreement have altered his contract.
The Gazette has asked in two open records requests for the district to release details of his leave agreement.
Garrow has said he's done nothing that would justify dismissing him as superintendent. He has said that he has not had an affair or misappropriated funds, and he has not done anything "immoral."
Garrow has said the time off has allowed him to reflect on his father's recent death and "pursue his dreams."
Dec 15, 2012 at 10:41 p.m.
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In this case I agree with pressure to seek more answers. I assure you...the full details of this story have not been disclosed. I would agree with just letting a dead horse lie, had it not been for the ridiculous agreement to continue to pay this guy his salary and a severence. If he continues to demand the "compensation and severence" then keep digging for the real details.
Dec 14, 2012 at 11:34 a.m.
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mexicron- easy enough to look up on sites.
Dec 14, 2012 at 11:33 a.m.
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keny- he wasnt just relieved. He was relieved with wages until the end of year and Maybe will come back. People want to know WHY a guy gets paid for not working and it better be a good darn reason. Now have to pay for somebody else too. Stupid to me!!! IF tax payers are paying your wages they have a right to know WHY you are still being paid. Work at Walmart if you don't want people to know your business.
Dec 14, 2012 at 10:54 a.m.
Dec 14, 2012 at 10:32 a.m.
Dec 14, 2012 at 9:57 a.m.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46bBWBG9r...
Dec 14, 2012 at 7:41 a.m.
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I'll never understand some people's burning desire to find out every bit of private information available on a public figure so they can use that information to to further bash said public figure on a local news blog. Apparently the rumor mills in Milton just aren't enough.
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Don't get me wrong, if Garrow conducted himself in a manner deemed "unbecoming of a district employee" I absolutely think he should be relieved of his duties. But that is all I need to know. I don't need to know his private business unless his actions were of a criminal nature.
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I hope everyone gets the answers they are looking for...I guess.
Dec 14, 2012 at 7:18 a.m.
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I am still not sure what part of "open records law" the Board and its counsel are not understanding. First they held back because they relied on some statute that said that items which could cause personal distress (or some such thing like that) could be held back. Now that Garrow wants them to divulge even more than they were going to, they are holding back why? Because it could cause the Board distress or embarrassment or whatever that statute provides for?
Dec 14, 2012 at 12:58 a.m.
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The district administrator legally had time to file addenda and rebuttals to any records being sought by the public. Garrow turned in the materials to the district within legal perimeters. In addition, Garrow has requested that the district release additional records to augment the records that the district plans to release, board members say. The board and the district, not Garrow, are taking extra time to vet the additional materials Garrow wants released. The indication from board officials is that the records will be released no later than Friday.
Dec 13, 2012 at 4:40 p.m.
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Late this week? You mean tomorrow? Was is not supposed to be last week or the week before?
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