CCE Staffing Issues Cause 4-H Program Concern

4-H Camp Shankitunk in Delhi

4-H Issues Committee Calls for Investigations

DELHI - At the Delaware County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 13, Andes Supervisor Wayland "Bud" Gladstone informed attendees that the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) board meeting was moved to the Walton Central School high school auditorium at 6 p.m. in anticipation of larger attendance. 

Gladstone said that due to several retirements and resignations, the public has become concerned about the future of programming and the board anticipates higher than usual attendance at the meeting. Gladstone also reported that a full investigation is in the works, but was unable to provide further details as it is a personnel issue.

Masonville Supervisor and President of CCE Board of Directors Betty Scott anticipated attendance of over 100 individuals. She explained that of the roughly 13 full-time staff positions in agricultural and 4-H programs, only six remain.

Scott explained that the 4-H Camp Shankitunk in Delhi serves over 600 children each summer. She added that Delaware County's 4-H program is the most extensive in the state. "It has a very robust schedule," said Scott, explaining that from now until September there are several events scheduled for 4-H members. For students to attend events, CCE requires them to be accompanied by a registered staff member in addition to volunteer chaperones. In the interim, the county has collaborated with Chenango County 4-H program to provide staffing for these events, she said. "We rely heavily on volunteers and community support to keep these programs running for the kids," Scott concluded. 

Scott said that John Conklin has taken over as Camp Director in the interim. Otherwise, there are still six full-time staff positions open, she said. Scott explained that CCE requires a high level of experience for job positions including a bachelor degree and some a master degree. They have been struggling to fill some of the agricultural positions for two years. 

CCE 4-H Issues Committee Secretary Rachel Collins said at a committee meeting on Mar. 7 that committee members were informed of the departure of two staff including 4-H Team Lead Emily Roach and 4-H Resource Director Corrine Tompkins in February. The two staff were fired for reasons the committee is unaware of. Following their firing the programs then lost 2/3 of the staff. The program also recently lost 4-H Administrator Justine Bishop in December.

The 4-H committee approved a resolution at their meeting on Mar. 7 that the CCE board is not following proper open meeting law which has made it difficult for the 4-H Issues Committee members to understand why these staff members were let go. They made further motions that the workload burden on current staff is too significant and the turnover of staff is unacceptable.

In addition, the committee called for a full investigation of the staff turnover and the workload shared and taken over by the current staff. 

Delaware County Executive Director Mandeep Virk-Baker said interviews for the 4-H administrator position are scheduled for the following week and other positions are posted online. "It is right now a lot of work but we are trying to ensure that programs are covered," she said, "Right now our main focus is making sure all of the programs scheduled for the Month of March are still moving forward." No programs in March have been canceled and the team is working on April programs, said Virk-Baker.

After listening to Virk-Baker's recruitment efforts, the issues committee called for a further independent investigation into the handling of the departure of Roach and Tompkins. Collins said these two staff members from her point of view were competent, good employees and she did not understand why they were let go when staffing and recruitment are such a problem.

Following an executive session, the 4-H committee called for Virk-Baker to be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into a possible hostile workplace environment. The committee is concerned that a conflict of interest occurred during the firing of Roach and Tompkins and that they should be reinstated and placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. 

Resident Cassidy Smith started a petition to reinstate Roach and Tompkins which had roughly 562 signatures before being sent to CCE officials. Comments on the petition were overwhelmingly positive of the strides the two staff members had made to develop quality programming for Delaware County children.

The CCE board meeting took place on Mar. 13 after press time. Scott anticipated the board would meet in executive session and come to some decisions following. We will continue to follow this story, so look out for future articles. 

For more information on CCE or to attend future meetings visit ccedelaware.org.