(Allentown, PA, July 3, 2012) – Having committed to starting his employment yesterday as director of communications with the Allentown School District, Keith Pierce APR has informed Superintendent C. Russell Mayo, Ed.D., that he has decided to withdraw from the position in light of the ethics violations that surfaced after the interview process and acceptance of the job offer took place. “There was no evidence of these civil violations during the interview process and Keith did not mention them,” says Dr. Mayo, Ed.D. “The district was not informed of them through calls made to past employers or during standard protocol checks. I am sorry to learn of this situation after the selection of Mr. Pierce. Additional measures for screening have been put in place as a result of this experience. I accept and appreciate his withdrawal, and I wish Keith well in his further career pursuits."
The above release was distributed this morning by Susan Williams and Associates, on behalf of Allentown School District. Pierce was hired to provide communications and public relations in house. Those services had been provided by Williams for a number of years, and apparently will continue to be, at least for the immediate future.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI argued against hiring anyone for this position for the very simple reason that in light of the district’s fiscal projections we can’t afford to. The ASD will have to learn how to do without a lot of “essential’’ positions until relief is provided from the employee’s defined payment pensions. It really is that simple.
Scott Armstrong
Can the ASD look any worse? This superintendent should leave. He is doing a very poor job.
ReplyDeleteCan Joyce Marin be far behind?
ReplyDelete@8:56, i have not come to that conclusion, at least not yet.
ReplyDelete@9:26, to my knowledge, marin's grant funded position did end.
Why wasn't it published that upon return from spain the mayor advise the school directors had to come up with an appointment for his honor ex cheerleader even with her accoplishments of incompatentcy pryor to leaving.
DeleteSomeone said yesterday that surely there are retired executives who would donate their time and talent to help the school district as communication specialists. Did anyone even consider saving the almost $90K or is it spend, spend, spend.
ReplyDelete@ 10:06, the current communications contractor seems to do a good job, without costing the taxpayer benefits and legacy costs. every administrator who currently receives a paycheck from ASD should have public relations as part of their job description.
ReplyDeleteThe best public relations representatives for the school district are students. Let them be the school's voice.
ReplyDelete@11:55, last year, the honor students spoke out at a school board meeting against zahorchak's proposed the over-achiever academy, at 4th and allen. they were indeed very impressive
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThe best public relations representatives for the school district are students. Let them be the school's voice.
July 4, 2012 11:55 AM
Be careful what you wish for....
@6:50, that appointment was snuck into a long list of personnel assignments. the story was revealed on this blog last year, and then picked up by The Morning Call, without proper attribution. you may use the search engine on the right side bar, and type in her name.
ReplyDeletegenerally speaking, such comments as 6:50 will not appear. they refer to past situations, require an explanation, and have no direct connection to current events.
There was someone on the gags/wfmz that told me local politics has nothing to do with the ASD. In allentown pa it is politics lawyers and realators that have played the biggist part in the destruction of each city block.
DeleteThere is hardly a remnant of the culture that once thrived.