LEBANON - The Lebanon School Board voted unanimously at a special meeting Monday to enter negotiations "for an immediate resignation" of Superintendent Jim Robinson.

Robinson, who sat with his attorney, Jim Brown of Portland, during the meeting, said following the meeting he plans no immediate action.

"What I am going to do is report to work tomorrow and continue to perform the duties as prescribed," he said. "I'm willing to talk to the board about the issues."

Board members met with attorneys in closed session for an hour and 15 minutes Monday before adjourning to public session in a room packed with parents, teachers and administrators.

Board member Russ McUne made the motion to enter negotiations, which Debi Shimmin seconded.

McUne read a prepared statement, saying: "Be it resolved by the Lebanon Community School District Board of Directors that it is in the best interest of the School District and the Lebanon community that Superintendent Robinson and the Board of Directors enter into negotiations toward mutually acceptable terms for an immediate resignation of Superintendent."

About half the audience applauded vigorously at the statement.

According to the statement, board members want the superintendent's resignation because "the current working relationship is irreparable" between them and members are concerned about further harm to district and community morale.

Board Chairman Josh Wineteer said he would not comment further on what negotiations would entail, what might happen if Robinson refuses or whether an update will be provided at the board's next meeting, Oct. 6.

Although the vote was 5-0, board member Chris Fisher said following the meeting he does not agree with the resolution.

"The way I see it, if I didn't vote yes, then a different resolution would have come into place, and I believe the outcome would not be good for the school district," he said. "Of all the resolutions we have, and the potential for lawsuits, this one had the least."

Robinson filed a tort claim this summer alleging Wineteer and Vice Chairman Rick Alexander had violated his contract. He said he has not yet filed a suit.

"If at any point in time I think my rights or my contract have been breached, I will defend my rights and my contract," he said.

However, he said he does not necessarily agree with the board's characterization of their current relationship status.

"I'm always prepared to work on my relationship with folks," he said. "I never consider any relationship to be irreparable."

Asked whether board representatives had approached him prior to the meeting about leaving the district, Brown replied for Robinson: "That's something we can't discuss."

Robinson, 60, was hired as Lebanon's superintendent in 1998. His current salary is $123,443.

Board members voted in March not to renew his rolling three-year contract when it expires at the end of the next school year.