Portage: Perry lied about Koeze affair

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) - A four-page document obtained by 24 Hour News 8 alleges Ric Perry - who resigned as Portage Public Schools superintendent a month after being suspended - covered up an extramarital affair with HR director Dr. Patricia Koeze, and that Koeze received special treatment as a result of the affair.

The document states the affair influenced his decision to hire Koeze and resulted in "favoritism," and that Perry allowed Koeze to be absent and take frequent personal days while also being paid for outside consulting services to the district.

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Breach of Contract charges against Ric Perry (pdf)

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The district charges that Perry lied to the board on multiple occasions about the affair before finally admitting to it in July 2012.  

The document states he denied it repeatedly despite the fact that he had been observed in her apartment with the blinds shut, embracing her, and that another district employee had seen a "love note" Perry had written to Koeze.

During his time as superintendent, Perry is also accused of using district resources while trying to quietly open charter schools in Grand Rapids.

The board alleges Perry's inappropriate relationship violated a morals clause in his contract and also hurt the reputation of the district.  It also states Perry was dishonest and didn't enforce the policies of the Portage Board of Education.

Acting Superintendent Rob Olsen said they're prepared for arbitration, and that they took action because they had to.

"We feel that those charges will speak for themselves and actually prove that there actually was a violation of contract," he said. "When it becomes evident that there were problems, there were improprieties, it behooves the board to fully investigate."

Olsen said this sets the standard for district employees to "conduct themselves in a manner moving forward, that puts the best interest of students, the best interest of staff and community at the forefront of everything that we do."

Perry's attorney had no comment.

Koeze is now working as superintendent of a Muskegon charter school and resigned from Portage after taking that position.