Has the Kentucky Board of Education learned a lesson?

The state board of education will meet at 7 tonight in Frankfort to formally accept Erwin's resignation and to discuss reopening the search for a commissioner.

"I am not sure what is going to happen," Travis said, adding that Erwin told him yesterday morning that she had concerns about coming to Kentucky.

In turn, Travis said he shared the board's concerns that she might not be able to do her job because she would be "so immersed in other issues."

"There is no doubt she has wonderful leadership skills," Travis said. "The question was, can you balance those two things, or would it be a major distraction?"

A few hours later, Travis said he received Erwin's letter.

"It was a bit of a surprise," he said. "I could sense on Wednesday (during a state board meeting in Frankfort) that she was drained. She seemed to be preoccupied with several issues on her mind."

Doug Hubbard, a state board member from Bardstown who was the sole opponent to Erwin's hiring, said yesterday that Erwin's decision to retire instead of coming to Kentucky was a "sad circumstance," but said "this is what is best for" Kentucky.

"I thought we made a mistake (by naming her the top candidate) then and my opinion has not changed," he said.

Bob Sexton, executive director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence who has expressed concerns about Erwin's work experience and resume, called yesterday's news "unfortunate for Kentucky schools."

"But I think we have to look on the bright side," Sexton said. "It may be an opportunity for the board to attract the kind of candidates the Kentucky job ought to attract."

According to the Daily Herald newspaper in St. Charles, a moving trailer sat in the driveway of Erwin's home yesterday afternoon, which she shares with her mother and her husband. The house is on the market for $585,000.

Erwin refused to come to the door to talk to reporters, but her mother said she and Erwin are moving back to Scottsdale, Ariz.

This from the Courier-Journal.

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The Daily Herald adds:

“I don't know why she had this change of heart,” said Board President Kathy Hewell. “I talked to her this week, and she didn't say anything.”

Hansen said he was stunned by her decision.

“I just can't imagine that level of scrutiny, personally,” he said. “But I'm not saying it wasn't deserved.”
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And from the Kane County Chronicle:

...Kentucky school board Chairman Keith Travis must move on without Erwin, who he described as “the best possible candidate for the job.”

“I think she evaluated the issues that she had been facing, some of the challenges and media issues, and considered what was best for Kentucky,” Travis said.

Hours after Erwin’s announcement, the St. Charles school board voted, 3-1 – with board members James Gaffney, Lori Linkimer and Karla Ray all absent – to approve a resolution formally accepting Erwin’s resignation. The vote also granted Erwin her $12,000 annuity and a $337.50 automobile allowance for this month.

Board member Chris Hansen cast the lone vote against the resolution, which came after he failed in an attempt to retroactively discontinue Erwin’s contract as of June 30 – the final day of the 2006-07 fiscal year.“I think everyone in this town knows she declared her last day to earn additional retirement benefits,” Hansen said. “I do know that she was working outside the district during the last few weeks, at a time she was supposed to be here helping with the transition of the new superintendent.”

Although Hansen’s amendment was met by applause from an audience of St. Charles taxpayers, he couldn’t garner support from his fellow board members who declined to stray from the content of Erwin’s contract and added amendments, including the controversial addition of sick day credits toward an Illinois pension.“This is already time served; I don’t know how we could go back,” board President Kathleen Hewell said.

Although the board’s action concluded Erwin’s three-year tenure with the school district, her name still is involved in an investigation into the disappearance of her personnel file.

Superintendent Donald Schlomann, who oversaw his first St. Charles meeting Friday, reported the file missing on his second day of work. Police continue to investigate.

Although the file has yet to turn up, Schlomann said the school board still could salvage its reputation.“I don’t think today’s symbolic of anything, but I do think it’s an evolution, the board has heard over and over again that they need to be more open,” Schlomann said. “I just want them to be open about the closing out of the contract.”

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