Rose Tree Media board moves to sever ties with principal

At a tense meeting, during which angry parents berated Rose Tree Media school board members and Superintendent James Wigo, the board voted unanimously Monday night for a plan to get rid of suspended Indian Lane Elementary School principal Bill Bennett.

The board did not offer details of the settlement, but sources said the plan, approved by an 8-0 vote, would allow Bennett to resign while covering his back pay and legal expenses. Bennett - who was given a leave of absence in April 2014, then suspended without pay in January when Wigo recommended he be fired - has until Tuesday to accept the offer, board members confirmed.

The district maintains Bennett displayed a pattern of losing his temper with staff or making inappropriate remarks, dating to 2002, shortly after he was hired. Some parents have been overwhelmingly supportive and said he is a warm and caring leader whose school is one of the best in the state. During hearings over his firing, dozens of parents and staff testified on his behalf.

For about an hour Monday night, approximately 20 people spoke passionately on his reinstatement, from a towheaded boy who asked the board to forgive Bennett because he always forgave students, to embittered parents who vowed to vote school directors out of office if they did not give the principal his job back.

The crowd of about 100 people cheered and clapped as person after person demanded that Wigo, not Bennett, be fired.

"There is still time to right this wrong," said Mary Van Horn. "Stand up for justice. Stand up to Mr. Wigo. Apologize to Mr. Bennett for wasting his time and money, and give him his job back. Ask forgiveness of the taxpayers for this embarrassing and costly farce."

After they were done and the board took a vote to accept a settlement without explaining the details, the crowd erupted into shouts and jeers: "Shame on you; shame on you all." "We'll remember." "You guys are awful." "Boo Mr. Wigo."

Three security guards blocked residents from approaching the board members. Several, including President John Hanna, said they retained 100 percent confidence in their superintendent.

Many parents came up to Wigo, who had a security guard on each side of him, for answers, but all he said was: "There is no comment I can make here tonight."