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Treynor Superintendent keeps his job while his suspension is under review

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March 11th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The leader of the Treynor Community School District can stay in his current role while his appeal of a state-ordered suspension continues to work its way through the legal process. According to the Daily NonPareil, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners voted Wednesday to continue the stay of a final order it issued Aug. 7th, 2015, to suspend Treynor Superintendent Kevin Elwood’s professional license for 30 days.

Elwood was cited for “failing to make (a) reasonable effort to protect the health and safety of the student or creating conditions harmful to student learning” as the reason for the suspension. He sought a judicial review, and following a ruling on Feb. 10, 2016, upholding the suspension, he has appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Duane Magee, executive director of the Board of Educational Examiners, said the order the board made is final unless a court orders that it must be “modified in some way, shape or form,” which did not happen in the Polk County District Court’s ruling. Elwood has said the main reason for his legal challenge is the Board of Educational Examiners issued an order for a 30-day suspension after an administrative law judge recommended issuing a public reprimand.

Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge Arthur Gamble said the sanction didn’t meet the legal threshold to be overturned, but the judge noted that it could “have collateral consequences to Mr. Elwood’s career as a school administrator” if imposed by the board. The Treynor School Board held a closed session on Elwood’s legal situation during a special meeting this past Tuesday. The board’s next meeting is Monday (March 14th) at 6:30 p.m.