DCSD School Board approves termination of Lee Fullhart's contracts

In a special meeting on Thursday, January 4, 2024, the Decorah Community School District School Board voted unanimously to terminate all contracts for district employee Lee Fullhart. Fullhart has been employed in the district as the Computer/Network Technician and Middle School Wrestling Coach. The Board's vote came after Superintendent Dr. Tim Cronin shared his findings based on an investigation he had conducted based on complaints received about Fullhart. Supt. Cronin's full report is a confidential personnel record pursuant to Iowa Code 22.7(11)(a). However, pursuant to 22.7(11)(a)(5), Supt. Cronin was able to provide to DecorahNews.com the following documented reasons and rationale for Mr. Fullhart's termination: "An investigation was conducted into several allegations that concluded the employee violated Board Policies 101, 104, 400, 401.4, 401.14, specifically with respect to interactions and relationships with co-workers." In the Board meeting, Supt. Cronin explained that he had met with Fullhart and placed him on administrative leave on Nov. 13, 2023, prior to the investigation. Fullhart was given Supt. Cronin's findings on Dec. 1, 2023 and access to his full personnel record on Dec. 12, 2023. Supt. Cronin noted that the personnel file did not include interview notes. On Dec. 21, Supt. Cronin informed Fullhart via email that his recommendation to the Board would be for termination of all employment contracts with the district. "Fullhart's co-workers feel that he tries to intimidate them," Supt. Cronin said. He then summarized other types of complaints that Supt. Cronin and former Supt. Mark Lane had received from district employees regarding Fullhart, some of which included complaints about escalating situations, aggressively pursuing matters that relate to the wrestling room and complaining to coworkers about the school board and other district staff members which made those staff members uncomfortable. "In contrast," Supt. Cronin said, "Fullhart said that the coworkers come to him to vent and he tries to get out of the situation. This statement is not credible given the number of contrary reports by staff members interviewed." "This represents a pattern for Fullhart, in which his actions are perceived by others as an attack or complaint about the co-worker and he perceives it simply as a difference of opinion, difference of understanding or different perspective," Supt. Cronin continued. "[He] will or does not grasp the significant negative impact that these interactions with his co-workers are having in the workplace." Supt. Cronin completed his remarks by stating that there were a number of other complaints, some summarized in his report, dating from 2020 through 2023, that included situations both on district property and in the community. Fullhart was then given space to comment. He claimed that the report completed by Supt. Cronin was fraudulent and that other witnesses were not interviewed for some of the incidents in the report and said that he believed elements of the report had been fabricated. "I knew already, just like I told you, I was already told this was coming, before it happened," Fullhart said. "You guys already had a decision, your minds made up before you even started, before you did your investigation. There wasn't an investigation. It's a hit piece." The Board discussed Supt. Cronin's report and Fullhart's comments before taking a vote. Board President Cindy Goodner said that, based on the full report and complaints from not one, but a number of district staff regarding Fullhart's behavior, she believed a pattern of behavior had been established. Board Vice-President Ron Fadness agreed, adding that he respected a great number of the people included in the report and that he found their testimonies to be very credible. After additional discussion, Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Brian Petersburg, to approve Fullhart's termination. The Board approved the termination unanimously.