Jacqueline Parisi, who has been on paid leave from her position as the business manager for Lyons Elementary School District 103 since late August, is apparently not leaving her job without a fight.
District 103 Superintendent Carol Baker said last week that Parisi has requested a hearing before the school board in an attempt to reclaim her job. Parisi’s contract gives her the right to a hearing before the school board before she can be fired, Baker said. The hearing is likely to take place sometime in December or January.
In late August, Parisi abruptly was removed from her district office. A month later the district began steps to fire Parisi for reasons that have yet to be explained.
The district’s law firm, Odelson and Sterk, has completed an investigation of Parisi, who has worked for District 103 since 2015. Parisi’s annual salary is $118,000, according the district’s website. The district is also responsible for contributing $14,738 toward her pension.
Parisi did not return a phone call or email asking her to comment about her situation.
Steve Langert, a retired school business manager, has been working as a part-time business manager for the district since late September. He is being paid $100 an hour.
Admin building rehab
In other District 103 news, last week the school board unanimously approved spending up to $115,000 to remodel the front of the school district’s central office to build seven new cubicles.
Baker told the school board that the additional cubicles are necessary because she wants to bring her entire district administrative staff into the administration building at 4100 Joliet Ave. in Lyons
“We are looking to have enough space for everybody here and just a little bit extra so we don’t outgrow our space,” Baker said. “This will give us additional work spaces that we need.”
Presently, the district’s curriculum director and special education director do not have offices in the main administration building.
One cubicle will be used to provide a private space for parents, job applicants, and others who need to fill out paperwork at the district office.
The school board also unanimously approved the hiring two new full time custodians. Terry Maloney was hired to work in the garage and Mario Ramirez was hired to be a full-time night custodian.
Board member Joanne Schaeffer questioned Maintenance Director Ryan Grace about why none of the district’s 10-month custodians were hired for two open 12-month positions.
Grace told Schaeffer that none of the 10-month custodians applied for the two positions. He also said that most of the 10-month custodians end up working 12 months.
