Telisa Reed’s short-lived stint as School City of Hammond’s interim superintendent is over.
School district attorney Jewell Harris Jr. confirmed Friday the school board has placed Reed on leave and she’s left the district.
The school board is expected to appoint Anthony Salinas, director of language development, as acting superintendent at its May 13 meeting and resume a search for a superintendent.
The board hired Reed in February as interim superintendent under an agreement that expires June 30. She was one of 18 applicants for the job completed by a state university search team.
Her interim contract called for her to receive $800 a day through June 30 and the use of a district vehicle. Board members expressed hope Reed would become superintendent when her interim contract expired.
School board president Carlotta Blake-King said in February that a search team member described Reed as a “fixer.” Blake-King said that’s what the board wanted.
Reed, who came to Hammond from the state of Washington, told the board she obtained her Indiana superintendent’s license.
“She’s not fired,” said Harris. “She’s been placed on leave and they’ll start the process of going in a different direction.”
Harris said Reed told the school board members she couldn’t work with them.
“I would say they were puzzled for her taking that position,” Harris said.
There were also reports that Reed had filed two Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints that involved a board member.
Harris said the district hasn’t been served with any EEOC complaints.
“She has talked about it, we’re not sure if it’s true or not,” Harris said.
Hammond, the largest district in Northwest Indiana, has been roiled by controversy in recent years.
In 2023, Hammond voters soundly rejected the district’s bid for an eight-year $116.8 million operating referendum and a $84.5 million construction referendum.
The defeat led to hundreds of job cuts and school closings as public meetings became more contentious. Superintendent Scott Miller resigned last year to become chief of staff for Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.
Hammond has had two interim school chiefs since Miller left.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
