CCE Interim Director Appointed

By Mary A. Crisafulli

HAMDEN - Following a lengthy executive session, the Delaware County Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Board of Directors appointed Nancy Grotevant as interim CCE Executive Director for six months pending contract negotiations. The appointment occurred during a special session held after the regularly scheduled finance committee meeting on Mar. 27.

Grotevant is a retired district director for Pennsylvania State Extension with 30 years of experience in the field. She is originally from Delaware County where she resides currently.

Board members required an interim executive director after Director Mandeep Virk-Baker was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation on Mar. 13.

CCE President and Masonville Supervisor Betty Scott said there are no updates on the investigation and is unable to provide any details as it is a personnel matter.

The CCE 4-H Issues Committee had called for Virk-Baker to be placed on leave following the firing of 4-H Team Lead Emily Roach and 4-H Resource Director Corrine Tompkins in February. The issues committee, along with several concerned community members believe the two staff members were fired for unjust reasons.

In another discussion, board members approved a $1,000 monthly stipend for Office Coordinator Stacey Young, Human Ecology Team Lead Ashley Silano-Moore, 4-H Educator Kaitlyn Conklin, and Camp Director Jonathon Conklin retroactive start on March 1. The stipend was awarded to the staff who had to take on additional roles outside of their job duties due to the lack of staff in the 4-H program.

The next scheduled CCE board meeting is May 15 at 6:30 p.m.