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November 27, 2012

PAISD's lips sealed on Brown's absence

Josh Brown The Port Arthur News

PORT ARTHUR — After a three-hour meeting behind closed doors Tuesday night, officials for Port Arthur ISD issued another no comment on the prolonged absence of Superintendent Johnny Brown.

PAISD attorney Melody Chappel remained mum on anything discussed during the meeting after it concluded around 9 p.m.

According to the meeting agenda, school board members met to consult with the district attorney “regarding complaint filled against the Superintendent of Schools” and to “discuss the performance, evaluation, and job duties of the Superintendent of Schools.”

Mid-way through the meeting, trustee Theodore Victor walked out of the administration building with all of his belongings, followed quickly by Chappel and trustee Thomas Kinlaw.

Victor and Kinlaw talked in the parking lot for a few minutes and eventually went back into the meeting. It appeared as if Kinlaw convinced Victor to not leave.

None of the board members would provide a comment on the meeting or Brown’s absence.

This was the second closed meeting in three weeks in which PAISD trustees evaluated the performance of the superintendent and discussed legal matters.

Brown has been absent from work since Oct. 26, and PAISD officials have refused to comment on the situation.

Until the agenda was released for the meeting Tuesday night, there had been no official mention of a complaint or any other explanation for Brown’s absence.

At a board meeting earlier this month, Chappel said Brown is not suspended nor is he on administrative leave.

“I anticipate that this matter will be resolved shortly,” she said after the Nov. 12 meeting.

Deputy Superintendent Mark Porterie is carrying out the superintendent’s duties during Brown’s absence.

Email: jbrown@panews.com

Twitter: @joshnathanbrown

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