KINDERHOOK – The Ichabod Crane Board of Education released a statement this week saying that Superintendent Michael Vanyo has agreed to resign effective June 30.
The statement, issued Wednesday morning, May 22, says that “based on a resolution passed by the Board of Education last night, Mr. Vanyo’s leave of absence has ended as of May 21, 2019. Effective today, Mr. Vanyo will be providing transition work to the district through the end of the 2018-2019 school year, until June 30, 2019. During this time, Mr. Vanyo will work with the district from a remote location to help prepare for his departure and ease the eventual transition period of a new superintendent. After that time, Mr. Vanyo will submit his resignation from the position of superintendent.”
Mr. Vanyo, 51, was arrested last month by the Saratoga Sheriff’s Office for DWI–operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or greater–leaving the scene of a property damage accident and an improper right turn. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, deputies “responded to a call of a property damage motor vehicle crash on Maple Avenue in the Town of Wilton on April 6 at 8:33 p.m. where one of the involved vehicles reportedly left the scene.”
Mr. Vanyo, who lives in Saratoga Springs, plead not guilty April 22 and had his driver’s license suspended April 29, according to the Times Union.
He requested to be put on unpaid leave on April 9. On April 30 the board appointed Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Guntlow acting superintendent.
The May 22 statement from the board said “Ms. Guntlow will remain in this position and handle the ongoing daily responsibilities of the superintendent until further notice.”
At several board meetings in April and May the board met in closed door sessions with the district’s lawyer about the issue of Mr. Vanyo’s employment.
The board’s statement says, “Over the past several weeks, the Board of Education and Superintendent Vanyo have been engaged in earnest discussions regarding the future of the current employment relationship between the superintendent and the Ichabod Crane Central School District. The board’s view has been that the interests of the district, its students, and the community would be best served by Mr. Vanyo voluntarily stepping down as superintendent. To that end, the board and Superintendent Vanyo have resolved the matter whereby Mr. Vanyo will voluntarily resign from his employment as superintendent effective June 30, 2019.”
Board President Matthew Nelson was quoted in the statement, saying, “The Board of Education has worked closely with Mr. Vanyo to find a resolution to this situation that is in the best interest of all parties involved. We remain confident in Ms. Guntlow’s ability to manage the district during this transitional period and ensure a smooth and uninterrupted conclusion of the school year.”
The board met after the district’s annual election on Tuesday, May 21 to accept the vote and make the motion on Mr. Vanyo’s resignation. The $41-million budget for the 2019-20 school year passed by a vote of 787 Yes votes to 477 No. Mr. Nelson was reelected with 571 votes along with incumbent board member Jeffrey Ouellette, who received 507. Elizabeth Phillips will join the board in July. She received 536.
To contact reporter Emilia Teasdale email eteasdale@columbiapaper.com
