Wayland Schools Public Safety Director Harry Werkema has agreed to serve for one more year in his position.
Werkema a year ago was set to retire to make way for a new school community officer in an agreement with the City of Wayland, but was asked to stay on last September in the wake of information about excessive force accusations made against Bernard Austhof in Phoenix, Ariz. Austhof was hired by the city to succeed Werkema, but school officials balked at signing the agreement until he had been cleared of any charges in connection with the alleged incident.
Austhof since then has remained as an officer with the City of Wayland.
Werkema has served as public safety director since 2003, when he succeeded Larry Medendorp. His willingness to serve one more year was announced Monday night to the Wayland Board of Education by Superintendent Norman Taylor.
The superintendent also announced the resignation of elementary teacher Tammy DeShaw for personal reasons and the retirement of kindergarten teacher Rexanne Francis.
Finance Director Bill Melching had mentioned during the same board meeting that the board’s Personnel Committee has recommended the reduction of two elementary teaching positions and one secondary post in order to be able to balance the budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
PHOTO: Harry Werkema
More cops less educators…..hmmm. Not good leadership once again.