Bureau Valley investigation continues

MANLIUS — The Bureau Valley School Board is continuing its investigation into an employee matter which surfaced in the district several weeks ago.

On Tuesday, Bureau Valley Board Chairman Roger Craine said there are still issues being looked into with the investigation. He gave no time frame as to when the investigation would be finished.

Also late Tuesday afternoon, Bureau Valley Board Vice President Kent Siltman said the board is still in the process of trying to wind up the investigation. No statement from the board would be released before then. The investigation is still a personnel issue, Siltman said.

In recent days, the Bureau County Republican has made calls to the district office to talk with Superintendent Terry Gutshall about the employee investigation but was told by office personnel that Gutshall was not available.

On Tuesday, Craine did confirm Gutshall is out of the office, taking some “personal days”.

Craine said he, as board president, and the building principals are in charge of the district. If needed, Gutshall would be available by phone, Craine said.

When asked who is in the charge of the district in the absence of Gutshall, Siltman said when Gutshall is absent from the district, the president of the board is the person in line to handle things. The board president would be the “go-to person,” Siltman said.

Since Oct. 9, the school board has spent at least six hours in closed session discussing the personnel issue which involves the current ongoing investigation. The reason given for the closed sessions was “to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.”

When contacted Wednesday, Craine did confirm that no board statement on the employee investigation would be released until the investigation is completed.

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