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(Clinton) -- Statement of support issued after CHS Principal is the subject of state panel investigation of ethics issues complaints

The Clinton School District Central Office Administrative team is standing behind CHS Principal Karinne Tharaldson-Jones in the wake of allegations of ethics violations. The issue was not on the agenda for a school board meeting Monday night, but the administrative team issued a statement to the media following the session.

The issue surfaced last Friday in action by the Iowa Board of Education Examiners. Officials said one of the allegations is conducting professional business in such a way that the practitioner repeatedly exposes students or other practitioners to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. The other is engaging in any act of illegal discrimination or denying a student or practitioner participation in the benefits of any program on the grounds of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status or national origin. Details of the alleged violation are not yet a matter of public record. A hearing will be scheduled on the matter.

Following the meeting, Superintendent Richard Basden said administrators are “unwavering in their belief in the integrity and in the job performance of Tharaldson-Jones.” They continued that she is a superior principal who has shown the passion and devotion that it takes to move Clinton High School forward in every way.

Basden said they believe the principal will be exonerated from what they termed “baseless insinuations of wrongdoing.” The statement concluded that the administrators hoped the citizens will not rush to judgment based on “hearsay” and “untruths” and will wait for the true facts to be revealed.

The statement was signed by the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent Deb Olsen, Human Resource Director Jess Terrell and Business Manager Jan Culbertson.

Written 3/9/2010 by Dave Vickers - KROS News

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