Zaleski cites 'irreconcilable differences' in resignation from RCS Board of Trustees

RICHMOND, Ind. — Peter Zaleski, owner of Phillips Drugs, has resigned from his position on Richmond Community Schools' Board of Trustees, effective immediately.

Zaleski's resignation, posted on Facebook Monday night, comes in the wake of a dispute involving the high school's volleyball team and boys basketball team that led to the volleyball coach, Darrell Morken, being placed on administrative leave with pay and a ransomware attack on the school's computer network and data systems that compromised student information .

Zaleski, who was the board's secretary, didn't identify any single reason for his resignation other than "irreconcilable differences" regarding "fundamentals" that he campaigned on that he said would strengthen the community.

His term began in 2023 and was set to expire at the end of 2026. His resignation allows the board to name his replacement until the original end of his term.

Zaleski's full resignation statement posted on Facebook can be read below:

I ran for school board on the fundamentals of transparency, communication, build relationships and to work toward the best academic experience for youth in our community. I still believe these fundamentals are the best path forward to strengthen the future of the Richmond community.

There have been irreconcilable differences in these fundamentals that have caused me to make the decision to resign from the Richmond Community School Board of Trustees effective immediately. My hope continues that RCS will be a school system that supports the needs of all students and supports the future vibrancy of Richmond.

Thank you to everyone for your support and please continue to support the students, staff and teachers of Richmond Community Schools.

- Peter Zaleski

Zaleski did not respond to a request for comment.

Evan Weaver is a news and sports reporter at The Palladium-Item. Contact him on X (@evan_weaver7) or email at eweaver@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Zaleski cites 'irreconcilable differences' in resignation from RCS Board of Trustees