Deer Lakes school board member resigns citing problems with leadership

Gary Torick has had enough of Deer Lakes School District leadership.

The longtime school board member made that clear with his resignation, ending a total of 24 years on the board.

“With all the misleading statements and all the untruths being told, I can no longer be a part of this board,” Torick told his now former colleagues Tuesday night. “I have never seen the morale in all of our buildings at this low level in all my previous years as a board member. The fear in the buildings and the climate in which the staff has to work just isn’t good or healthy.”

He mentioned the district’s budget constraints and questioned its spending.

“We can find monies for a glass classroom in the library and create a totally new position, but we can’t afford to purchase a box of disinfecting wipes,” he said. “I do believe the situation will get worse before it gets better.”

Torick, 66, of West Deer encouraged the remaining eight board members to “truly open their eyes and get their heads out of the sand and actually see what it is like to work for this district.”

He did not offer any specific examples after the meeting of “misleading statements” or the other statements offered in his resignation.

Torick said he was concerned about possible litigation, and only reiterated his problems with district leadership.

“I’ve been proud to be a Deer Lakes board member for all these years,” he said. “It’s just that the current leadership and I don’t see eye to eye.”

Board President William Lupone declined comment. Other members deferred questions to district spokesman James Cromie, who was “surprised and disappointed” at Torick’s departure.

“We regret that Mr. Torick is leaving,” Cromie said. “Nobody has been more loyal to Deer Lakes School District than Gary Torick. He’s consistently championed student causes. We are sad to lose him, but we’re proud of the relationship with him.”

Cromie said he did not know what “untruths” Torick was talking about.

Torick’s in the final year of his sixth term. His seat will be on the November ballot.

The board has 30 days to appoint Torick’s replacement before the vacancy could be filled by Allegheny County courts.

Whomever is appointed by either the board or the courts would serve into early December when the board reorganizes.