School Board in Westminster Fires Superintendent

WESTMINSTER — Refusing to say why, and despite objections from parents and teachers, the Westminster school board fired Supt. Gail Wickstrom on Tuesday.

Trustees voted 3 to 2 to buy out the remaining two years of Wickstrom’s contract at a cost of $163,360.

At a special meeting held to determine whether they would demand her resignation, trustees of the Westminster School District listened for an hour to comments from parents and teachers packed into the tiny boardroom. But neither during the public meeting nor after their closed-door vote would the trustees explain the firing.

Wickstrom, 55, who attended the meeting, also said nothing.

In a letter of recommendation that accompanied the agreement she signed Tuesday night to resign, trustees wrote, “Boards of trustees and superintendents don’t always see eye to eye on political and philosophical issues. Sometimes changes are needed, and Dr. Wickstrom and the board mutually agree for Dr. Wickstrom to no longer serve as superintendent.”

Last fall, the district’s Board of Trustees moved in a more conservative, back-to-basics direction with the election of Trustee Helena Rutkowski. She and trustees Michael J. Verrengia and Sondra Rinker formed a new 3-2, right-of-center majority. Trustee Nancy L. Blumenthal, who with Trustee Lynn Covey voted against Wickstrom’s firing Tuesday, said, “I think this is just a travesty. Not only are we losing a great superintendent, but we’re losing money that could go into the classroom.”

Wickstrom, who has been superintendent since 1991, will take a leave of absence until May 31, when her job officially ends. Deputy Supt. Barbara Winters will replace her temporarily. Verrengia said trustees will discuss a search for a permanent replacement at their May 15 meeting.

Many speakers Tuesday questioned the board’s motivation.

“I don’t understand your reasons why you want to spend this kind of money,” parent Cindy Blackburn said. “I haven’t heard your reasons why you want to do this.”

Parent Jan Doyle said she was “just disgusted and disappointed that we have a school board that doesn’t care about our kids. Dr. Wickstrom is one of the brightest people I know.”

Parents also said the money spent to buy out Wickstrom’s contract should go to benefit students.

“They should wait until her contract is up in 1999, because to buy her out now means that money is going to come out of the general fund and will be taken out of the classroom,” PTA President Debi Watson said.

Westminster drew national attention in 1996 when it became the first district in the state to take advantage of a new policy allowing schools to waive traditional bilingual education requirements.

About 45% of the district’s 9,000 students aren’t fluent in English, but the largest portion of those speak Vietnamese. Westminster officials said they couldn’t find enough Vietnamese-speaking teachers to do a credible job with bilingual education.

Instead of “native-language” instruction, Westminster teachers use mostly English, with help from bilingual aides. Wickstrom has helped launch the new program.

Wickstrom received the Orange County PTA Honorary Service Award this year and the Westminster Council PTA Continuing Service Award in 1995. She also served as chairwoman of the Superintendents Committee for Orange County during the county bankruptcy.

Also contributing to this report was Times staff writer Nick Anderson.