Photo by Jordan Patterson Pictured in the front row, from left, are new Principal Kirby Oldham, John Hogan, founder of Bridge-It Evaluation, firm hired to mediate tension at Ripley; and Erin Wheeler, curriculum coordinator.

RIPLEY — During Thursday’s regular board of education meeting, Ripley Superintendent Lauren Ormsby tendered her resignation. The announcement comes almost two months after the Ripley Teachers Union announced a vote of “no confidence” in school leadership, citing hostility, favoritism and fear within the district.

“The culture of our school has become one of hostility, favoritism, fear and anxiety,” the union penned letter issued Dec. 12 stated, later adding, “The results of this vote emphasized this hostile work environment with the clear majority in support of the vote of no confidence.”

The board of education approved Ormsby’s resignation during Thursday’s meeting.

Robert Bentley, Ripley school board president, said the resignation was not related to the vote of no confidence. Bentley declined to comment on the specifics of Ormsby’s resignation, but noted that the board was first made aware of the resignation Wednesday.

“What’s fair to say is it was time for Dr. Ormsby to move on,” Bentley said. “The district wishes her the best.”

Ormsby was not in attendance at the board meeting. Her name plate, typically placed among the board of education’s in the front of the room was placed near the secretary’s table at the beginning of the meeting.

Ormsby served as superintendent and principal during her time at Ripley.

The board approved the appointment of Karen Krause as superintendent. Krause previously served as superintendent at Ripley in 2010.

Kirby Oldham’s appointment as the new principal was also approved. Oldham recently worked with the administration and staff while conducting interviews for the firm Bridge-It.

Bridge-It was hired by the board as a way to resolve the tension in the district following the vote of no confidence.

Oldham and John Hogan, founder of Bridge-It, presented their recommendations on how the board should proceed.

One of the recommendations was accepted and approved by the board that included separating the superintendent position from the principal position. Hogan noted that with those two positions previously combined created communication problems among staff.

Bentley cited Oldham, having conducted the interviews at the school, gaining the trust of the employees as a key reason he was appointed.

People in attendance again sported pins that read “Support Teachers” and “Support Sabella” to the meeting. The pins were worn at a Nov. 30 board meeting in response to an incident that occurred on Nov. 3. The incident involved Ripley Teacher Lisa Sabella coming into “inappropriate contact” while handling a student. Sabella was placed on, and remains on, paid administrative leave.

The appointments of Krause and Oldham generated applause from those gathered in attendance. There was applause again after board president addressed the community directly regarding Ormsby’s resignation. He indicated no further comments will be made about the former superintendent and noted that the district is moving on.

In other news, the board took time to congratulate the school on being recognized by MaryEllen Elia, commissioner of education for the New York State Education Department. Ripley was among 154 other high schools that were recognized as “high achieving and high progress schools.”