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O’DONNELL |
Administrator placed on leave, interim named
BY JOEL E. MAST and REUBEN MEES
EXAMINER STAFF WRITERS
The superintendent of Indian Lake School District was placed on paid leave Monday evening after being arrested earlier in the day on a felony sex charge.
Patrick J. O’Donnell, 52, of 7419 Blackbeard, Pirate’s Cove, Russells Point, was charged with gross sexual imposition for sexual contact involving a 13-year-old girl.
Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart said the victim resides in Logan County, but is not a student at Indian Lake.
Officers of the Washington Township Police Department were alerted to the allegations a week ago by Logan County Children’s Services.
The board of education had a regularly scheduled meeting Monday and, after an hour and 15 minute executive session, voted to place O’Donnell on paid administrative leave until proper protocol can be followed to place him on unpaid leave.
He was also ordered by the board to remain in his residence during regular work hours and is barred from attending any district extracurricular activities.
The board said in a statement that they had no prior indication O’Donnell was under investigation.
“The district has no prior reports of any inappropriate conduct of superintendent O’Donnell,” Board President Gabe Wickline read from the statement.
“Student safety is of highest priority of the board of education and the district’s staff. Any reports or allegations of misconduct are promptly investigated and action is taken immediately.”
Following the superintendent’s removal from office, the board voted to appoint Robert Underwood as acting superintendent. The current Indian Lake High School principal has recently completed his education and is certified to work as a superintendent, although he said he has not yet sought such a position.
Underwood will receive $100 a day in addition to his current salary to take on the additional duties of being interim superintendent.
Wickline said the board, which has two lawyers among its ranks, would determine the next legal steps in the process to place O’Donnell on unpaid leave and schedule any special meetings as needed to address issues as they arise.
O’Donnell was held in the Logan County Jail overnight but his initial appearance in Bellefontaine Municipal Court had not yet been scheduled this morning.
Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office assisted Washington Township in the investigation which alleged abuse over several years.
The prosecutor said his staff continues to evaluate the evidence to determine if more charges are appropriate.
O’Donnell was hired in August 2010 to lead the district after 20 years at Sidney City Schools as a teacher, coach and administrator.