DELAND, Fla. — Just as school is wrapping up for the year, Volusia County's school board has voted to oust its superintendent.

  • Volusia School Board vote to dismiss superintendent
  • Board says Tom Russell did not inform members of DOJ investigation
  • Chairman says board hopes to have full-time superintendent by January 

In a 3-2 vote, the school board voted Tuesday night to terminate Superintendent Tom Russell’s contract, effective June 30.

The main reason why board members wanted to get rid of Russell: Some blame him for a lack of communication over a Department of Justice investigation.

At their meeting earlier this month, school board members approved to negotiate an early termination of Russell's contract as superintendent.

"The catalyst is the lack of communication," board member Ruben Colon said.

The district's attorney tells us the DOJ is investigating a complaint that Volusia schools denied students with disabilities equal educational opportunities. Board members say they learned about the investigation from a teacher — not the superintendent.

"I will take full responsibility," Russell said. "I was going through emails; I did not send that to you."

That lack of communication, they say, along with issues with school curriculum, is why they wanted to get rid of Russell, who has been at the helm since 2015.

"It's one thing to terminate an employee, but when you're talking about someone at the CEO level, when you remove that person, the head of a huge organization, you've got to look at who is going to step in," Volusia School Board Chairman Carl Persis said.

Parent of three Joanna Caney-Olivari agrees with decision to termination his contract.

“I think its time now that we move forward and do the research that we never did and find a qualified experienced candidate," Caney-Olivari said.

The embattled superintendent spoke after the vote was conducted. Russell said he respects the board’s decision but also wanted to point out his accomplishments.

“Dual enrollment went up in for our African Americans, Hispanics, and all students," he said.

Russell also mentioned improved school attendance and having guardians at the schools to protect students.

The board chairman says they will now look for an interim superintendent and hope have a full-time one in by January.