The Nome School Board moved to place Superintendent Bill Schildbach on temporary administrative leave last night in a special session which included a private executive session. The decision, effective immediately, is in place “until further notice.”

The special session of the board was public, but early in the meeting, the Nome School Board went into executive session (in which members of the public are not permitted to attend). After reemerging from executive session, Board Vice President Barb Amarok made a motion to place Schildbach on temporary leave. Sandy Martinson seconded it, and the decision passed unanimously.

Board members say they are unable to comment on the executive session discussion that led to the decision. The reason for Schildbach being placed on administrative leave, as well as what prompted the special/executive sessions, are unknown at this time.

According to Board President Brandy Arrington:

“It is a confidential personnel matter that I am unable to disclose information on.”

Superintendent Schildbach was unable to be reached for comment in time for the airing of this story.

KNOM will update this story as more details become available.

Image at top: file photo: Bill Schildbach speaks at the start of the Nome School Board meeting on January 15, 2019. Photo: Katie Kazmierski, KNOM.