O’Sullivan confirms Knapp still employed, Cleveland remains interim principal

NORWICH – Have you been wondering if the Norwich City School District is paying two people for the same position? It looks like the answer is yes.

Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan confirmed Wednesday that absent high school administrator Thomas Knapp is still employed by the district. But it will be interim principal Dr. Robert Cleveland at the helm of the school, not Knapp, when students return Sept. 4. The school board approved a per diem payment of $400 per day for the former superintendent earlier this year.



Knapp made waves at Tuesday’s board of education meeting with the announcement that he had filed a notice of claim against the superintendent and the Norwich City School District.

On the advice of the district’s legal counsel, O’Sullivan said he was unable to comment on the nature of Knapp’s claim. He did, however, say that he was surprised by the filing.

“We are always trying to do what is in the best interest of the students and the district,” said O’Sullivan. “I thought we were making progress. Now it is in the hands of the lawyers.”

Even before the notice of claim was filed, very little information was released about the principal’s absence. O’Sullivan maintains that he cannot discuss the matter. “By public law and policy, I can’t comment on personnel issues.”

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Reader Response

2 comments on this story

jjlighthouse
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Making progress, what a joke. This has been in the hands of lawyers since May. Does the truth ever come out of O'Sullivan's mouth. "The best interest of student's" and O'Sullivan should not be used in the same sentence.
thewiseguy
August 21st, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Interesting comment "we try to do what's right for the interest of the students and district.
I would really like to believe it, but it is no way no how true. Its all about them and getting more money in their pockets.
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