Bay City Tribune

The Van Vleck ISD board of trustees upheld their July 27 decision to void Joseph Ros', former Van Vleck High School assistant principal, contract by taking no action on the matter after reconsidering it during their regular monthly meeting Monday, Aug. 17.

Although Ros is a certified teacher, his contract specified that he had until June 30 of this year to complete his principal's certification, according to Ros' attorney Jay Brim, of Brim, Arnett, Robinett, Conners & McCormick P.C.

Brim said Ros thought he had until September 30 to complete his certification and when he noticed it was really June 30 he contacted Dr. Cynthia Clary, VVISD superintendent, to inform her of the situation.

Clary told Ros she would present the matter to the school board.

On Monday, July 27, the board met in closed session to discuss Ros' contract.

According to the minutes of the July 27 meeting, when the board members reconvened in open session, the board voted six to one to void Ros' contract, terminate his employment with the district and authorize Clary to notify the employee of the board's decision.

Bobbie Oncken, a member of the public who attended the meeting, requested, outside of the public comment period, to ask the board to reconsider their decision.

Anthony Edison, Van Vleck ISD board president, allowed her comments and told her that the board's action was "necessary since (Ros) has failed to obtain certification as required by his contract in the three years he has been employed with Van Vleck ISD."

Brim said Ros never had any notice that a determination would be made regarding his contract and he "found out after the fact."

"I personally think it's unfortunate that the superintendent never invited Joe to come in and give his side of the story to board members," said Brim.

"At any rate there will be an appeal and he will have a chance to present his side of things to the board."