IHS band director faces termination

By Joseph DiCristofaro
The Ironton Tribune

The Ironton City School Board meeting on Monday resulted in the board informing the public that Ironton High School band director Anthony Nolan may be terminated due to his actions and lack of license.
Before the meeting began Nolan was present at the school, but minutes before the beginning of the meeting he was escorted out by police.
“This board believes that the conduct of Mr. Nolan constitutes grounds for termination under Ohio revised code 3319.16 and that the character of the charges against him warrant his suspension pending action to termination,” said Rae Ann Witt, Ironton City School Board President.
Witt put the subject to a vote amongst the board members to accept the motion concerning Nolan’s situation. All said yes except board member Jasun Walker who said no.
“As of July 1, Mr. Nolan does not have a teaching license that has been granted by the state of Ohio,” Witt said. “Mr. Nolan has 10 days to notify and schedule a hearing.”
Before the information was released about Nolan, the board faced criticism from teachers and community members alike.
“Your actions are chasing away good teachers. Some have even left to be substitute teachers in other districts,” said Kenny Riley, Ironton Middle School teacher. “We teachers of Ironton deserve better.”
Before Riley gave his monologue to the board he was interrupted by Witt.
“We’re not going to go there. Starting tonight we’re all going to be positive, this is a new beginning,” Witt said. During her statement, IEA President Daniel Murphy informed her she could not prohibit Riley from making his statement.
Riley said that the board was responsible for breaking contracts, state board policy, state laws and 25 policies.
Riley also gave concern to the hiring of a new teacher from outside the district, who he said was promised a job in the district. He also said that the board purposely passed up on teachers with seniority inside the district.
“Contract states you cannot move teachers for an arbitrary reason, and because you promised a job to someone because you hired them as a coach is not a just reason,” Riley said. “Teachers with seniority should have priority for openings and have earned that right. But why would we do anything to make the teachers happy?”
Soon after returning from an executive session of nearly two hours, the board voted on the hiring of Tom Kaskey for the position of social studies teacher at Ironton Middle School. All members but one voted yes with Walker voting no.
The decision was met with backlash from the crowd, who made mention of other qualified candidates from within the district.
Murphy also spoke before the board and described an issue that he along with other teachers have with the board.
“We have been told that our grievances have been put on hold because you guys are dealing with Mr. Nolan’s situation,” Murphy said. “You are a school board; you still have to function. Those grievances affect other teachers.”
The board also took time to clear the air surrounding the possible resignation of Superintendent Joe Geletka. Witt said they have yet to receive a resignation from Geletka, but once it is finalized there will be a meeting to follow regarding the process of starting the search for a new superintendent.
Witt said that the board will begin posting the meeting agendas to make them available to the public on the Saturday or Sunday before the meeting.

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