Eight of the nine principals within the Niles Community Schools — as well as seven other key staff members including the directors of athletics, curriculum and finances — said they had “no confidence” that former Supt. Richard Weigel could lead the district effectively.

The document — dated Feb. 10 — outlining these concerns was released last week after the Niles Daily Star submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for any correspondence relating to Weigel’s departure. His resignation was accepted about three weeks after the no-confidence letter was sent to the board, a move that apparently followed an investigation of the allegations by the district’s attorneys.

In the letter, administrators described Weigel as a bully whose actions had created a toxic atmosphere in the school district and the community. Administrators included a list of more than 20 reasons why they lacked confidence in the superintendent’s ability to lead.

Many of the signatures on the letter were not immediately recognizable, but the district confirmed the names on Monday.

They were:

• Robin Hadrick, principal of Niles High School

• Chris Porter, assistant principal of Niles High School

• Adrienne Blanton, assistant principal of Niles High School

• Jeff Upton, director of athletics

• Diane Curry, principal of Southside School and the director of special education (Curry’s husband, Jeff, serves on the school board. He abstained on the vote to accept Weigel’s resignation. The measure that passed with five in favor, one opposed and one abstention.)

• Tom Skarbek, director of finance

• Angela Cramer, director of curriculum

• Doug Langmeyer, principal of Ring Lardner Elementary

• Rich Klemm, director of the Niles Adult Education program and non-traditional education

• John Fonash, principal of the Cedar Lane Alternative Education School

• David Eichenberg, principal of Ballard Elementary

• Tammy Tallis-Crowner, principal of Eastside Connections School

• Michelle Asmus, principal of Howard-Ellis Elementary

• Molly Brawley, principal of Oak Manor Sixth Grade Center

• Donna Roark, assistant principal of Howard Elementary

Zech Hoyt, principal at Northside Child Development Center, was the only principal to speak up in support of Weigel. He was joined by New Tech Director Jerry Holtgren and assistant Director Mike Vota as well as a long-time teacher.

“Culture correlates highly with student achievement. If you had any form of communication with Dr. Weigel, this was always at the tip of his tongue. This focus and consistent reminder by him, almost daily, created high-level expectations and accountability,” Hoyt wrote. “Due to the nature of accountability, which is essential in a high functioning culture and organization, often times his passion would come out. Much like any good coach, you ‘love them and hate them.’”

Dr. Kevin Ivers, who was appointed interim superintendent the night Weigel’s resignation was accepted, said school employees have been asked not to answer questions about the situation and that all communication on the issue has been directed to go through his office.

“I am focused on moving the district forward and they are, too,” Ivers said, later adding that this is a “healing process” for both the schools and the community. “My role is to help the district find the next superintendent and keep moving forward.”

Weigel has not returned multiple phone calls or text messages in recent weeks. The longtime educator’s opinion on the messy split and how the events unfolded remains largely untold.

Although Ivers was not part of the process when it began, he said it was his understanding the investigation into the allegations against Weigel lasted several weeks as representatives for the district’s attorneys interviewed key school administrators.

Ivers said he was not certain as to exactly how Weigel was allowed to answer the accusations against him, but that he believes the man was given that chance.

“I expect he was given the opportunity to respond to the complaint,” Ivers said.

Weigel was hired in 2010 to replace retiring superintendent Doug Law. His contract was set to expire in June 2016.

In addition to a one-year salary severance payment of $115,000, the district will pay Weigel his salary through June 30 as he serves as a consultant. Weigel will not work in the buildings but has already been helpful in making the transition go smoothly, Ivers said.

“He has been very responsive to get back to me in a timely manner,” Ivers said, adding that he will be the point of contact between Weigel and the staff during this time period. “There is a lot of institutional knowledge when a leader steps down. …Having him as a resource is critical as we move forward.”

As part of the separation agreement that came out in an earlier FOIA request, the district also agreed to write a positive letter of recommendation, acknowledging Weigel’s achievements as superintendent. In that letter, the board pointed out that the district’s enrollment increased every year under Weigel’s watch and that ACT and NWEA scores have also improved. The letter also acknowledged that Weigel was the driving force behind opening a New Tech school in the district and the re-opening of Eastside Connection School as a magnet school.

“The administrators have been pushed under his leadership and he has done his best to teach them,” the letter stated. “He leads by example. He consistently talks about school culture and how that is the key toward making improvements.”

In his resignation letter to the board dated Feb. 25, Weigel wrote that his “vision for the future of the district differs fundamentally from the vision held by some members of the administration and perhaps some members of the board. These fundamental differences will inevitably interfere with my ability to effectively lead this district according to my vision.”

Read the “no-confidence letter” here.

See the document containing signatures to the “no-confidence letter” here.

Read the letter of support written by Holtren and Vota here.

Read Prenkert’s letter of support here.

Read Hoyt’s letter of support here.