District approves supt.'s resignation

WARSAW, N.Y. (WIVB) - Embattled Superintendent of Warsaw Central Schools is out of a job. News surfaced last week of the 2011 arrest of Warsaw School Superintendent Valerie Burke. Tuesday night, her employment with the school district ended.

Warsaw Central School Board President Bob Cummins said, “Resolve that the board of education accepts and approves the resignation of Valerie K. Burke, upon the terms agreed, effective September 25, 2012.”

With that, the tenure of Burke came to an end. School Board members went into executive session for about an hour and a half before making the statement. The board made no further comment on the resignation.

Last week, News 4 learned that Burke was arrested for DWI back in May of 2011. She reportedly had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit.

This was especially troublesome for one woman in attendance.

Drunk driving victim Donna Veihdeffer said, “My mother was killed by a drunk driver, I was hit head on, I was the driver of the vehicle. She was killed on September 13th, 1993. She's supposed to be a role model for these children and the teachers. She's preaching this, but she's not practicing what she's preaching.“

The principal at Warsaw Elementary School will serve as acting superintendent until a replacement can be found.