CLEAR FORK — A Bellville Elementary School principal has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and proceedings have immediately begun for termination, according to minutes from the Clear Fork Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 19.
DeVito had been on paid leave since the start of this school year.
“Recent allegations have been made concerning (Kirsten) DeVito’s inappropriate conduct as it relates to teacher evaluations, including utilizing teachers’ signatures without their knowledge and/or approval,” the minutes read. ”Questionable evaluation forms resulted in a personnel file investigation, which resulted in discovering numerous issues associated with the evaluation of Bellville teachers that were prepared by Mrs. DeVito.”
DeVito is currently employed as the elementary principal under a three-year contract.
As a result of the investigation, Superintendent Janice Wycoff is recommending the Board of Education initiate proceedings to consider whether Mrs. DeVito’s employment contract should be terminated. Wycoff further determined the character of the charges warrants that Mrs. DeVito be suspended without pay or benefits pending the outcome of termination proceedings.
According to the minutes, Wycoff will also report Mrs. DeVito’s alleged violation of the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators to the Department of Education’s Office for Professional Conduct.
Wycoff said because of board policies, she was unable to comment further on the events leading to the unpaid leave status.
