BNI Newswire

Linda Allen left Wednesday night’s Pike County Board of Education meeting in tears following a decision to terminate her as the custodian of funds for the school district.

Superintendent John Key said he could not discuss the decision until appropriate notification was given, but the vote to terminate Allen immediately followed the board’s approval to allow Key the authority to renegotiate employment with retiring custodian of funds Gail Lambert.

"It is very important to us that we have someone who has been here a while when the next audit rolls around," Key said, adding that the decision to enter into negotiations with Lambert for her continued employment was a direct result of the ongoing local and state investigation.

The investigation surrounds the school district’s former maintenance supervisor, Timothy Spivey, who was arrested July 10 on charges of first degree theft of 10 air conditioners.

Allen, who has worked for the district for only six weeks, said she was notified by Key an hour prior to the 5:30 p.m. meeting that the board would consider her termination.

"(Lambert) was supposed to retire next month," said Allen, the mother of four Goshen Elementary School children. "I guess they can’t have two custodians of funds."

While Allen said she will consult with attorneys to see what legal action she can take, Key said the state allows for terminating employees without reason during a probationary period.

"It’s never pleasant. I feel sorry for anybody we have to terminate, but we have to do what we feel is best for the system," Key said.

Both decisions followed a 30-minute executive session.