Who's Zoomin' Who?

The Baraboo School Board met last night to discuss the future of Lance Alwin with the district. Although officials remain tight-lipped on an investigation into Alwin's performance, one stated Alwin was put on paid leave to allow the investigation to be completed as necessary. If it were an unpaid leave situation, "you have no control over what they do."

The school board is supposed to be controlling what Alwin does. Alwin should have had several meetings with the board over the years about his performance. He did not. The board was not controlling Alwin, and Alwin was out of control.

Did the school board put Alwin in charge of an investigation into his own performance? Keeping Alwin on paid leave allows the school board to control what he does, and the board won't say who is doing the investigating. Stranger things have happened!

How actively is the "investigation" being pursued? After one month (that we know of), it appears to still be in progress. Could board members be stymied by what they know so far? Or, is this "investigation" a ploy to allow Alwin to exit his contract gracefully?

While Vodak states Alwin's paid leave is not indefinite, neither is is contract. The district could keep Alwin on paid leave until June, 2009 with no conclusion to their investigation. Unless the board is stupid enough to renew Alwin's contract again, his contract will end with a whimper and he will be sent on his way. Don't be surprised if the "investigation" is not concluded by election day, leaving the dirty work for the new kids on the board.