The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board has voted not to renew the contracts of a high school principal and athletic director accused of failing to report a gun on campus during an after-hours fight last February.
Mesa High School Principal Kirk Thomas and Athletic Director David Klecka have been on administrative leave since earlier this month.
On Monday, the governing board voted 4 to 1 against renewing the contract for Thomas and Klecka. Supporters of the pair reacted with boos when the board voted to adjourn the meeting without hearing comments.
In a statement to KJZZ, Mesa Public Schools said the “non-renewal is not disciplinary and this action is not a termination.” Thomas and Klecka will remain on leave until their contracts expire on June 30. Mesa police have submitted a case against the pair to the city attorney.
"We are reviewing every option to address the seemingly baseless decision of the MPS Governing Board. In addition, we will continue to work toward keeping Principal Thomas and AD Klecka from any criminal liability," Robert P. Jarvis, attorney for Thomas and Klecka, said in a statement to KJZZ.
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