Board authorizes negotiated exit talks with superintendent, places leader on paid leave and names acting superintendent

The Crook County School District Board on the evening of a special meeting authorized a board member to lead negotiations for a mutual termination of the superintendent’s contract, placed the superintendent on paid administrative leave (non‑disciplinary) and appointed Dr. Joel Hoff as acting superintendent. Each motion passed unanimously, with a 4‑0 vote.

Board Chair opened the meeting by stressing a balance between transparency and compliance with district policy, noting that “district policy CBG provides that the board's discussion and conferences with and about the superintendent and their performance will be conducted in an executive session unless the superintendent requests a session open to the public,” and that the board would focus “on process and next steps and will not comment on the superintendent's performance.”

The board voted to authorize a board member to take the lead in negotiating a mutual termination package, to be supported by the business manager and returned to the full board for final approval. A board member raised a concern on the record that assigning a single board member to negotiate could present a public‑meeting violation; the chair said the board would consult legal counsel following the meeting but proceeded with the vote. The motion passed 4‑0.

Following that authorization, the board voted to place the superintendent on paid administrative leave described by members as non‑disciplinary; that motion also passed 4‑0. Shortly afterward the board voted 4‑0 to appoint Dr. Joel Hoff as acting superintendent. Members clarified during discussion that “acting” denotes an assignment that lasts while the current superintendent occupies the position and that an “interim” appointment would follow only if the position becomes vacant.

The board recorded unanimous votes from four members present. Miss Tammy, the business manager, was asked to record vote results. The board also noted that a regular monthly meeting is scheduled for January 13 and that that meeting will include the district’s usual public‑comment period.

Those actions leave the superintendent’s ultimate employment status dependent on the outcome of the negotiated termination package, and on any legal advice the board receives about negotiation procedure and open‑meeting law. The board directed the business manager and legal staff to support the negotiation process and to return proposed terms to the full board for approval.

The board did not discuss or make public any financial terms for the termination, and dollar amounts or effective dates were not specified in the meeting record.