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O’DONNELL |
Indian Lake’s Board of Education has fired its superintendent accused of sexual conduct with a child.
Board members passed a resolution Monday during a regular meeting to terminate former superintendent Pat O’Donnell, asserting he cannot effectively lead the district even if he were to be acquitted of 14 felony charges including rape, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition involving a teenage girl.
“Board members have not taken any position as to O’Donnell’s guilt or innocence relative to the pending criminal proceedings,” reads a board-issued statement released following a 90-plus minute executive session. O’Donnell is set to stand trial in Logan County Common Pleas Court Dec. 6 to 8.
Their decision defies the recommendation issued Nov. 7 of attorney Robert M. Harrelson, on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education, advising the district to wait until resolution of O’Donnell’s criminal proceedings before firing him.
“Accordingly, the Referee finds that the Board of Indian Lake Local School District has failed to provide reliable, probative and substantial evidence that there existed good and just cause for Mr. O’Donnell’s termination,” concludes the 23-page report Mr. Harrelson prepared following a five-day termination hearing spanning late-August and early September.
That recommendation was not binding, and the board had the choice to accept or reject the conclusion.
Harrelson claims the criminal accusations were not grounds for dismissal, as the superintendent has not yet been convicted.
Still, the board in its resolution to terminate argues that the criminal case has eroded staff and public trust in O’Donnell, and even if he were found not guilty, the superintendent could not effectively lead the district.
“School district staff, parents, students and community members are aware of O’Donnell’s arrest, incarceration and/or criminal charges. Their negative comments on the situation, posted to online media reports, reflect a loss of trust in O’Donnell and his leadership, and the view that he can no longer serve as a role model for students,” reads the board resolution.
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