<p>8111 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI 49002 work phone: 269.323.5000 ______</p><p>Statement from “Bo” Snyder, President Board of Education Portage Public Schools</p><p>DECEMBER 14, 2012 SPECIAL MEETING</p><p>By way of background, the Board of Education authorized an investigation into reports that Dr. Perry had entered into an inappropriate personal relationship with a district employee. The Investigative Report received by the Board confirmed these reports and established facts to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that Dr. Perry has violated Board Policy and is in material breach of his contract.</p><p>Based on these findings, attorneys for the Board of Education and Dr. Perry have worked unsuccessfully to negotiate a mutual separation agreement. The Board is in full agreement that the time for these negotiations has passed and that, in the best interests of the District, Dr. Perry is suspended with pay effective immediately and will be provided, consistent with his contract, with written charges and an opportunity for a hearing before the Board.</p><p>The Board of Education is fully confident in its position and fully confident that its actions will prevail in the disposition of this matter.</p><p>Consistent with this position, the Board of Education is moving forward immediately with a national search to find the very best candidate to become the next Superintendent of Portage Public Schools. </p><p>In the meantime, we are pleased to appoint Rob Olsen as Acting Superintendent. Mr. Olsen is an experienced superintendent with a successful history in a number of other school districts, most recently as Superintendent of Sturgis Public Schools. Mr. Olsen has served as Assistant Superintendent since July of 2011, is familiar with district operations, and will continue to move the District forward consistent with the goals set by the Board. The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Olsen and is pleased and honored to have him in this role.</p>