SAN ANTONIO – Nearly a week after firing Metro Health Director Dr. Thomas Schlenker, City Manager Sheryl Sculley has issued a statement explaining why he was terminated from the position on July 23.
In the statement sent late Wednesday afternoon, Sculley cites a "two-year history of increasing dissatisfaction with (Schlenker's) lack of leadership, continued disregard for direction and repeated instances of unprofessional conduct."
Schlenker on Friday told KSAT 12 that he was shocked and surprised at his firing.
However, Sculley said she met with Schlenker last week to discuss "other instances of inappropriate and unprofessional comments to or about women" -- comments she said he admitted to.
She said he could not justify or explain his actions, and she requested his resignation.
"He refused to resign and I terminated him," she wrote in the statement. "His ongoing public comments confirm that this is the right decision."
Below is Sculley's full statement:
"While we had hoped to keep the details of this personnel matter private, Dr. Schlenker's ongoing false public statements compel me to disclose the facts of his termination. I will state again that Dr. Schlenker's termination was not related to his position on sugary drinks. It is important to note that in 2010, well before Dr. Schlenker was hired, we removed sugary drinks from City employee vending machines as part of our City employee wellness program and our commitment to employee health and fitness goals.
"Dr. Schlenker's separation from the City was the result of a two year history of increasing dissatisfaction with his lack of leadership, continued disregard for direction and repeated instances of unprofessional conduct. Concern over his unprofessional treatment of women up and down the chain of command was communicated to him on several occasions. His active detachment from his role within our executive team and his disconnect with City policies were also a concern.
"In October of 2014, I reassigned his reporting relationship from an Assistant City Manager to a Deputy City Manager and explained to him that I was giving him one last chance to meet the performance expectations of an executive in this organization. A few weeks ago, I learned of other instances of inappropriate and unprofessional comments to or about women by Dr. Schlenker. I met with him last week and discussed these matters. He admitted making these comments. Finding no justifiable explanation for his conduct, I requested his resignation. He refused to resign and I terminated him. His ongoing public comments confirm that this is the right decision.
"The City's core values include teamwork, integrity and professionalism, and unfortunately, Dr. Schlenker did not live up to these values."