READING — Superintendent Sherry Parr was put on paid administrative leave early Thursday, two months after the Reading Board of Education decided not to renew her contract.

        Mrs. Parr, 49, said she has no idea why she was put on leave and was not in attendance during the closed-door meeting that followed more than four hours of public comment Wednesday night.

Parr

        During that time, speaker after speaker pleaded with the board to offer Mrs. Parr a new contract — or at least say why it wouldn't.

        “I didn't see it coming. I am so disappointed the board has denied me the opportunity to fulfill my obligations to the students, staff and community,” said Mrs. Parr, whose contract expires July 31.

        The board voted 3-2 to place her on leave, the same split that voted in February not to renew her contract.

        Board President Tom Bemmes said it was time for the district to look ahead and begin healing.

        “I believe it was the best decision for the district to move on,” said Mr. Bemmes, who voted with Bill Apking and Vicki Solomon to put Mrs. Parr on leave. ""We disagreed on this issue but we cannot allow it to divide our community.”

        Mrs. Parr said she is not allowed back in the building and must arrange with interim superintendent David Gibson to remove her belongings from her office after 4 p.m. Thursday. She said she is looking for another administrative job and has not decided if she will take legal action.

        “I thought something good would happen after all the people spoke out in favor of Mrs. Parr,” said parent Lesa Meyer. “I thought we could wipe the slate clean, move ahead. Instead the answer to the community was, "We still don't care what you think and we're going to make you (Mrs. Parr) leave now.' That's just plain rude.”

        Mr. Gibson, who has been assistant superintendent since August 2000, will serve as interim superintendent until a new superintendent is hired.

        Mrs. Parr became superintendent of the 1,400-pupil district in January 2000, replacing John Varis, whose contract was bought out in exchange for his resignation after a controversy arose about comments he made about arming teachers in schools.

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