Norwich school board accepts Thames River Academy principal's resignation

Norwich — School officials on Tuesday released a seven-page separation agreement signed by former Thames River Academy Principal Edward Derr in March.

The Board of Education had accepted Derr's resignation March 15, but later realized the vote was done erroneously, requiring a new vote Tuesday.

The separation agreement calls for Derr to remain on paid administrative leave through the end of the 2011-12 school year, when his resignation will take effect.

All parties involved releases the other parties from future legal claims, except that Derr would be allowed to file complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Derr waives the right to seek future compensation through those claims, the agreement states.

All parties also agreed not to discuss the agreement or the events that led to the agreement with outside individuals or the media.

Derr was strongly criticized in a state-funded program audit of Thames River Academy, the city's alternative high school. The report criticized his leadership, discipline, academic curriculum and the academic course schedule. State standardized test scores at TRA are among the lowest in the state.

Derr was placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 16, two weeks prior to release of the audit report. Derr already was under internal disciplinary action by Superintendent Abby Dolliver for what Dolliver cited in a letter to Derr as poor performance and lack of improvement.

Retired Fitch High School Principal Robert Bacewicz was named acting principal Feb. 17 and will remain through the end of the school year.

Dolliver said the Norwich school district posted the job opening Tuesday for a permanent principal.

c.bessette@theday.com