Board expels student, fires custodian

DISTRICT 911 – On Thursday night, Dec. 18, 2008, the District 911 School board expelled a student for one year and fired its head custodian.
Neither were easy decisions, according to Superintendent Bruce Novak.
Expulsion
A middle school student was expelled for one year (Dec. 11, 2008 to Dec. 11, 2009) for brandishing a pocket knife and threatening other students with it on a bus ride home Dec. 12.
Novak noted that in deciding to expel the student the district weighed the intent of the student and how it affected other students.
The parent(s) were brought in to discuss the issue, and agreed to the expulsion.
An alternative schooling option has been found for the student, Novak stressed. “We’re about trying to get help for the student and not cost him/her into the streets somewhere,” he added.
Custodian fired
Jerold P. Gambino was terminated as head custodian on Dec. 18.
Details surrounding the termination are not being released and were discussed during a closed session.
Gambino can choose to appeal the decision. If that occurs, it will go through arbitration. This process may take up to three months. If the termination is upheld, the reasons will be released.
Gambino has worked for the district over 12 years. He has been disciplined in the past for conduct issues and supervisory/management type issues, noted Novak.