Leupp School Inc. Executive Director Placed On Investigatory Leave
Lawrence Ruzow
The Observer was called early Monday, July 2, 2001, by a source close to the school alleging that when several teachers arrived for work at six a.m. Monday morning they were turned away by security guards and asked to return home. A few, however, had gone to their classrooms only to discover their door locks had been changed.
The source also stated as many as thirty people had been turned away despite being told to report for work the previous Friday.
An on-site visit to the Leupp boarding school revealed the presence of four security guards, one of whom said that a board meeting had been underway in the school’s cafeteria since early morning. That special meeting continued until shortly after noon Monday.
An attorney for the board, Lawrence Ruzow, met the staff of the Observer in the school’s parking lot and confirmed that the Executive Director Mrs. Ester Frejo had been advised about the special meeting of the governing board and invited to attend. Ruzow said, her attorney, Samson Martinez of Gallup. was also notified. Ruzow said Attorney Martinez indicted he had been hired by Mrs. Frejo on Wednesday, June 27, prior to the board meeting on July 2. However, neither Mrs. Frejo nor her attorney attended the governing board’s special meeting in the school’s cafeteria Monday.
Ruzow also stated the governing board wanted to be fair to everyone involved, and was disappointed that Mrs. Frejo did not appear at the special called meeting.
Attorney Ruzow also confirmed to the Observer that locks on all the school’s doors had been changed the previous Friday, June 29. Ruzow stated the reason for changing the locks on all the doors was; “The school was placed under enhanced security to preserve all records and documents.”
He confirmed that enhanced security had been protecting school facilities the entire weekend and would remain through Monday, July 2, 2001. Ruzow indicated however, that their presence in such numbers would probably not be needed after Monday’s action by the board.
Present at the special meeting were Board President, Roy K. Dan, Isabelle Walker, Vice President, and the board members. Peggy James was the only board member absent.
Some of the allegations involve technical disputes concerning contracts, banking procedures and negative communication with the governing board.
School policy indicates that a person will be reinstated if cleared of allegations.
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