A New Britain Superior Court judge has ordered the Freedom of Information Commission to hold a new hearing on the complaint filed by former Groton Superintendent of Schools Paul Kadri.

Kadri filed suit in April, challenging a commission’s decision which found that Kadri did not file his action on time, and that the meeting held two years ago in, which he was placed on leave, was not a secret.

He had argued he was denied his right under state law to have the meeting in which he was placed on administrative leave in open session, so he could hear what was happening. He contended he had evidence to present to the FOI Commission, but it was never heard.

In a ruling Oct. 29, Judge Carl J. Schuman handed the case back to the commission and ordered it to hold another hearing. Schuman noted that the hearing officer declined to hear evidence and the commission then served the parties with notice that it would hear oral arguments but that it would take “no new evidence.”

Given this, Schuman said he couldn’t determine whether the meeting was secret or properly noticed, and told the commission to hold a new hearing.

Kadri was hired in 2008 and his contract was renewed three times. He was praised for his handling of the budget, but also clashed with some board members, staff and parents.

On May 2012, the Board of Education placed Kadri on paid administrative leave after receiving a complaint about his conduct. An investigator hired by the school board concluded he was humiliating and intimidating employees, mostly women.

d.straszheim@theday.com

 

Twitter: @DStraszheim