Petition Calls For Oxford Schools Superintendent's Termination

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

OXFORD, CONNECTICUT – A group of Oxford residents is circulating a petition asking the Board of Education to fire School Superintendent Ana Ortiz. The group is also circulating the petition on social media, including Facebook.

The petition says:

“IN OUR OPINION:

“BE IT RESOLVED that the parents and community of Oxford School District and the citizens within the district borders hereby declare that we have no confidence in the leadership of Superintendent Ana Ortiz and call for her contract with Oxford School District to be terminated immediately by the elected School Board of Oxford for cause as enumerated in the following:

“WHEREAS: There is widespread public dissatisfaction with the Superintendent's leadership. Superintendent Ortiz’s employment has been marked by turmoil within the district. She is responsible for irresponsible fiscal management and failed policy compliance; failure to ensure comparable treatment of all staff members, parents and students. Lack of oversight has contributed to wasteful and unnecessary spending of taxpayer funds and directly contributes to the low morale of staff.

“WHEREAS: the Superintendent's actions have directly resulted in weakening the school’s parent/teacher involvement. Parent involvement has declined as a result of the deterioration of the schools integrity to spend funding appropriately at Oxford School District.

“WHEREAS: the Superintendent has complete disregard of parents’ and teachers’ legitimate concerns about numerous issues within the district and has ineffective public relations; the Superintendent refused to answer parent questions at meetings or could not answer them. Such mismanagement has resulted in needless disenfranchisement of faculty, staff, students and parents.

“WHEREAS: There are questionable business practices as such the Superintendent’s poor judgment has exposed the district to possible litigation that will needlessly cost the taxpayers of this district.

“WHEREAS: the Superintendent is not in touch with this community and has demonstrated, publicly and privately, disparagement for Oxford School District and the citizens of Oxford. Superintendent Ortiz has willfully acted to inhibit transparency and has breached the public trust.

“THEREFORE: we call upon the Oxford School Board to immediately terminate Superintendent Ana Ortiz for cause.”

Patch placed calls to Ortiz's office Friday and if we hear back, we'll update this story.