The Clear Fork Valley Local Schools Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday evening in which the officers for 2015 were elected. It was also announced that Treasurer Larry Lifer would be leaving the district, and an official public complaint was filed regarding the athletic code.
Jim DeSanto and Jim Klenk were unanimously reelected to the positions they held during 2014, DeSanto as board president and Klenk as vice president. The pair were sworn in by Lifer.
It was recommended that the board accept the severance of employment by Lifer effective at the close of business on July 31.
“Mr. Lifer has received an offer, and is going to be taking an offer, for employment with Crestview Local School District,” said DeSanto. He added that Lifer currently was also serving as part-time treasurer for Lucas Local Schools and plans to begin employment with Crestview on February 1.
Klenk expressed concern regarding the wording of the recommendation, stating that June, July, and August are very busy for the treasurer and central office, “I have some concerns that we need to get someone in here ASAP to close the year end and open the year end, to try and make a smooth transition.”
He therefore offered the recommendation be amended to read, “The board accepts the severance of employment by Mr. Lawrence Lifer, treasurer, effective at the close of business on July 31 or sooner if a suitable replacement is found.”
Lifer said as long as all terms of his contract were met, he agreed, and the board unanimously approved the amended recommendation.
Each of the board members addressed Lifer, thanking him for his service as treasurer.
“I’m sorry to see that this is happening. I think you’ve done a very good job as treasurer,” said DeSanto. “Thank you for your service. I appreciate what you’ve done.”
Klenk noted, “In the ‘90s, Clear Fork was probably the finest technology school because of Larry.”
Lifer began his career at Clear Fork in September of 1996 as technology director, and has served as treasurer since August of 2004, he said in a brief follow-up interview. “It’s been difficult to make the decision,” he added.
The board went on to approve the use of the Ohio School Board’s Association to perform the search for Lifer’s replacement at a cost not to exceed $6,900 plus expenses.
Fred Neumann once again addressed the board regarding the athletic code, this time reading a prepared statement.
“Since Aug. 20, 2014, I’ve made public record requests to see the athletic handbook introduced in November, 2012 and passed May, 2013. On Dec. 15, I was allowed to see the signed board minutes and paperwork. The athletic handbook is missing from the November, 2012 board meeting records. The only copy in the board’s records has a fictitious date of January, 2013. It is a revised version of the athletic handbook,” read Neumann.
Neumann said that 12 other documents were passed the same day as the athletic code, and all of those documents were dated May.
“I believe the public has a right to know if someone altered or destroyed the law that governs our children,” he said.
He insisted the board could easily clear up the matter. “All I want is the truth. I don’t believe that’s too much to ask of a school board,” he said.
Neumann presented documents which he said constituted an official public complaint in writing.
DeSanto noted that he and Neumann had spoken briefly before the meeting, but added that the board is limited in responses due to the fact that Neumann’s family has filed a lawsuit against the school district.
Neumann’s son, Jakob, filed a civil lawsuit on March 26, 2014 in Richland County which lists the Clear Fork Valley school district, former Board President Gary Mathes, Athletic Director Benji Bethea, and former Board Interim Superintendent David Ritter as defendants. The case is set for jury trial July 7.
Under new business, the board approved entering into a contract with Mansfield City Schools for instruction of Med Central Health System Adolescent Psychiatric Unit pupils at a cost of $35 per hour.
The board also approved Brian Kinnard and students to travel to Great Britain, France, Switzerland, and Italy in June and July for 15 days.
Other items discussed may be found in the minutes once they are posted to the website.
