Calls mounting for Wheatland board president to resign

Screaming during a closed-session, slamming binders and pursuing a personal agenda were among problems cited when Wheatland School District heard requests that board President Susan Abe resign that post.

"This board and these meetings have became an embarrassment and a circus," Wheatland resident Paula Lamb said Wednesday. "People who have no children are coming for the show — which the board continues to give them."

Lamb, among several community members speaking to trustees, said a new president may be needed.

Trustee Nicole Crabb said Abe's status is expected to be discussed at Thursday's school board meeting.

Crabb, at the meeting Wednesday read a letter she said a school district employee had provided.

Abe "is making Wheatland School District a laughing stock" and her behavior — including screaming during the closed session, is an embarrassment, the employee wrote.

Abe, who could not be reached for comment, asked Wednesday how someone would know what happens during a closed session.

Crabb said after the meeting that Abe's voice at the board's Jan. 21 session "got so loud it was heard outside the office."

Crabb, asked Thursday if she supports requests that Abe resign as board president, answered, "If that's what we need to continue to move forward to a more unified board, then I would support that."

Trustee Denis O'Connor also said he supports Abe stepping down.

"Susan Abe's own personal agenda has hampered what should be the best interests of the students, staff and teachers," O'Connor said. He said that agenda includes Abe see ing a forensic audit of the school district, an undertaking other trustees did not support.

Abe last month, at the meeting speakers said included her slamming binders, complained she was being stonewalled about financial matters, recounted compiling more than 1,000 pages of materials about school district finances and asserted that trustees aren't aware of all school district spending.

O'Connor said a forensic audit would have cost up to $60,000, That financial review would have followed the school district's standard, yearly audit.

Crabb said the Wheatland School District should be celebrating after avoiding layoffs that have hit California schools. The district has received $2 million and may get nearly $1 million more because of revised calculations by the federal government on funding due the school district to cover costs connected with educating students of military families at Beale Air Force Base.

Paul Carras, 63, who retired in 2008 as deputy superintendent for the Rocklin Unified School District, has served as interim superintendent since October after Debra Pearson began an administrative leave. Trustees approved a separation agreement in January for Pearson.