Dubuque School Board Votes To Consider Superintendent's Termination

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Jaime Sharer

Story Created: Apr 30, 2012 at 8:36 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 1, 2012 at 3:26 PM CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The Dubuque Community School Board has taken its first step toward firing Superintendent Larie Godinez, citing loss of confidence by staff and failure to lead effectively.

The board voted unanimously Monday night to consider terminating her contract.

"One of the main responsibilities of the school board is to ensure that we have the right direction for the district and ... certain allegations have been made that are worthy of this action," said Board President Craig Beytein. He declined to elaborate on the allegations.

Board member Tom Barton said a major reason for his vote has to do with Godinez's recent decision to outsource the district's information technology work.

"We are talking about citizen money getting spent and we are talking about people potentially having their jobs re-configured or lost," he said.

Godinez has declined to comment to The Associated Press and other news organizations.

Godinez, who joined the district in 2009, will have five days after receiving written notice of the board vote to request a hearing either in front of the district or an administrative law judge.

Her contract is set to expire in 2014. Her annual salary is $180,000.

Godinez recently had considered leaving the district. In November, she withdrew her name from a list of finalists for the superintendent position at the South Bend Community School Corporation in Indiana.

Before coming to Dubuque, she was the assistant superintendent for administration and personnel at Plainfield, Ill., School District 202. She was also principal at three schools for a combined 13 years and assistant superintendent for human resources at Community Unit School District 300 in Carpentersville, Ill.