A reader poses a good question:

If the “retirement” letter Mills High Principal Michael Nellums sent me is the same one he gave the school district, he doesn’t retire until June 30.

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That means, there’s ample time for Superintendent Charles Hopson to act on the findings of the investigation of the incident that prompted Nellums’ suspension — his reported conniving with School Board member Tim Clark (did you know he’s talked of carrying a spy pen that can be used to record conversations with people?) to discredit Board member Gwen Williams.

The public is owed a decision by Hopson and release of the report. Nellums shouldn’t be given a free pass. If his actions merit firing, taxpayers deserve being released from paying him his last two weeks of salary.

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Right? Or maybe this was a negotiated deal. Nellums insist he long had plans to retire and it was merely a coincidence that he submitted his retirement the same day the investigation was completed.

I’ve asked the district about the timing issue.

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