Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett released the following statement on the school system’s decision to allow paid administrative leave to an employee for more than two years:

“There continues to be a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the school system’s decision to allow an employee to receive paid leave for over two years. I have a lot of questions myself, including: what exactly was the rationale for such a decision, who was afraid this employee would sue the schools, and why did the school superintendent not simply say, ‘fine, let’s go to a judge?’

 

One thing, however, is clear. This situation was created by the school system and not the law director. It looks like the school system created what, at best, could be called a mess and is now looking to the law director’s office to clean it up.

 

Another thing that is clear is that there will be no secret settlements. The public has a right to know where their money is going and why.

 

Finally, all school system employment decisions are the responsibility of the superintendent and school board, not the law department.”