Cusick Superintendent On Leave During Probe

Fri., March 26, 1999

Cusick School Superintendent Charles Crickman has been placed on paid leave while investigators from the state teachers retirement system examine school records.

Crickman was asked to turn in his keys and leave the building after a closed meeting last week with the school board.

He declined to comment.

Chairwoman Kelly Driver also declined to comment on the investigation except to say, “We have some concerns.”

She and the district’s Spokane attorney, Mike Ormsby, said they don’t know how long the investigation will take.

Ormsby said the investigation is not related to a controversial land purchase, for which some district residents have criticized Crickman. He declined to say what prompted the retirement system investigation.

“They are going to look at district records,” he said.

Ormsby said Crickman is scheduled to retire in June. Crickman has been superintendent since the fall of 1988.

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