Tukwila school superintendent placed on paid leave during discrimination probe


March 28, 2012 · 6:59 PM

The Tukwila School District Board of Directors Tuesday night placed Superintendent Ethelda Burke in paid administrative leave while it investigates discrimination complaints brought against her by nine employees.

The investigation could take three weeks.

The board also named Mellody Matthes, the district's assistant superintendent, as interim superintendent while Burke is on leave. The board also authorized board President Mark Wahlstrom to oversee the district’s response to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints, including supervision of the investigation of these complaints by the district’s legal counsel, the firm of Dionne and Rorick.

The EEOC is conducting an investigation of its own, which will follow its receipt of the district's response to the complaints, according to Nina Melencio, the district's executive director of human resources.

Burke's salary is $157,800.00 for the 2011-2012 school year.

The Tukwila school board met Tuesday before a large crowd at the cafeteria of Showalter Middle School.

 

 

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