Northville School Principal's Contract Up For Review

Northville's school board voted last week 6-1 not to automatically renew the contract of principal Scott Snyder for the 2012-13 school year.

It is unclear what prompted the decision to reconsider the terms of Snyder's contract, which would have otherwise been automatically renewed. The board's decision was reached following a closed session meeting which lasted more than an hour.

The reason given was to "consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of, or hear complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member or individual when the person requests a closed hearing." The reasons were stated in an April 18 memorandum from Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher.

Gallagher said in an interview that the district's collective bargaining agreement – which was reached last year with the Northville Association of School Administrators, the union which represents school principals – allows for a principal to meet with the board in closed session.

She had no further comment on the decision, except to say that it does not mean that it won't eventually be extended but that it just won't be automatically extended. It is not clear what the decision will mean for Snyder.

School board president Dottie Garrity said that such meetings with administrators and the board are unusual. During her four years on the board, no other such request has come before the school board.

Snyder has been with the district for eight years.

"I love working for Silver Springs Elementary and Northville Public Schools," he said, adding that he had no additional comment on the board's decision.