[Update] Gary Franzi Resigning from Avon School District

Gary Franzi will be leaving his role as Avon Public Schools director of finance come December.

He has worked for the Avon school district for nearly 15 years.

"Pursuant to the agreement signed on September 14, 2011, my employment with the Avon Board of Education will cease effective December 16, 2011," Franzi wrote in a brief resignation letter to Superintendent of Schools Gary Mala dated Sept. 22.

"He had discussed it with me that he wanted to explore other business options," Mala said Friday. "I appreciate his service to the district over many years. I wish continued success to him in whatever he choses to pursue."

When asked if he knew why Franzi was leaving, he said, "I don't delve into personal business."

Franzi is the second administrative employee to resign in the past few months, the first being Jody Goeler, former assistant superintendent, who left to become chief of school in Region 14, which includes Bethlehem and Woodbury students.

"Sometimes, that's the way things happen," Mala said. "Changes, such as this are a type of turnover. You don't plan for them in advance. People make personal professional decisions."

The Board of Education discussed the matter at a last-minute special meeting Monday, Sept. 12 after posting an agenda the Friday before. At the special meeting, the board moved to go into executive session at the beginning to discuss a "personnel matter" protected from disclosure under "attorney client privilege," as well as "collective bargaining – administrative and supervisory association," according to the agenda.

"I was surprised, but not surprised," Board of Education Chairwoman Peggy Roell said of her reaction to the news. "I wish him good luck with his new adventures."

Roell and Vice Chairman Michael Eagen were at the special meeting, as well as board members Stacey Biernat, Kenneth Notestine, Houston Putnam Lowry, Jay Spivak, William Stokesbury, Katharine Zirolli and Barbara Zuras. Attorney Hugh F. Murray, III, Esq., of Murtha Cullina, the law firm that represents the school board, and Mala also partook in the executive session, but Franzi did not.

After ending executive session and opening the floor up for communication from the public, seeing none, the board adjourned.

Just days later, Franzi signed an agreement with the district that he would stay until December before the Central Office officially received his resignation letter Thursday.

Mala will confer with the board soon about the search process for a new finance director simultaneous to the hiring process for the vacant assistant superintendent seat currently being filled by Paula Schwartz in the interim. He said he has "already engaged in canvasing the market for available folks to serve as interim" finance director.

Franzi's reasons for leaving are not clear at this point. He has not yet responded to an e-mail and messages Avon Patch left on his work voicemail and has been in meetings Friday morning. Updates will be provided as they become available.