GEORGETOWN – The Otselic Valley Central School District bus, building, and grounds supervisor has resigned after claiming he was coerced into it.

“I was told my position was going to be cut and I had to resign,” said Kevin Springer. After being employed by the school district for 19 years, Springer is leaving one year away from the crucial 20 year mark, which will greatly effect the benefits he will receive as a retiree.

The matter of the Springer’s resignation was brought before the OVCS Board of Education during an open meeting on May 8. Approximately 15 minutes into the meeting – which began at 7:30 p.m. – executive session was called. At 8:30 p.m., Springer was called into the closed door meeting where he stayed until 9:13 p.m. About a half an hour later, the board returned to open session. Three members of the board voted in favor of accepting Springer’s resignation while the remaining two abstained from voting. Forty-two community members attended the meeting to show their support of Springer, including a spattering of district employees and students.

A petition imploring the board to not accept the resignation was also present, allegedly containing 220 signatures gathered during the week leading up to the meeting. At one point, a pair of sheriff’s deputies stopped by, though they did not enter the auditorium where the meeting was held.