WOODVILLE, Ohio — Supporters of embattled Woodmore Middle School principal Kevin Ball are planning to turn out at Thursday’s school board meeting to urge the board to renew the principal’s contract.
Thursday’s monthly board meeting starts at 6 p.m. and has been moved from the high school media center to the gym shared by the elementary and middle schools in anticipation of a larger audience. The meeting’s agenda includes an item from the superintendent recommending that Mr. Ball’s contract not be renewed.
Mr. Ball was told in April that his contract, which expires July 31, was not going to be renewed.
While officials have not publicly discussed the reason, a review of the principal’s personnel file revealed a recurring pattern of concerns about discipline, or the lack thereof, in the middle school. It culminated in February, when a student was expelled for multiple instances of racial bullying.
As word of his pending departure became public last month, dozens of students at the middle school staged a walkout during the school day on April 26, and yard signs in support of Mr. Ball started popping up throughout the community.
Additional materials obtained from Woodmore Schools this week show Mr. Ball received a written reprimand from Superintendent Mary Schaeffer on May 1. In the letter, Ms. Schaeffer indicates Mr. Ball met with students April 25 and told them he was likely going to lose his job.
The superintendent described his actions as “highly inappropriate” and said “that information should never have been shared with students.”
“You crossed a boundary in your professional relationship with the students,” she continued. “I do not know whether you truly failed to recognize the inappropriate nature of your actions or were intentionally trying to use the students to help rally community support” to keep his job.
Mr. Ball was placed on paid administrative leave at his own request on May 5 . In the letter acknowledging the leave, Ms. Schaeffer instructed Mr. Ball “to remain at home during normal school business hours and to be available, via telephone, to answer questions and otherwise perform work” as requested.
He was told he was not to discuss his situation with school district employees, students, or their parents and that he was not permitted on school property and would not have access to school technology or resources.
On May 7, Woodville resident Tonia Noe created a petition on change.org that supports Mr. Ball. It describes “the positive impact that Mr. Ball has had on Woodmore Schools. His dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the well-being and academic success of our students has been truly commendable.”
The petition, which had garnered more than 760 signatures by Wednesday afternoon, lauds Mr. Ball’s implementation of “numerous initiatives that have significantly enriched the educational experience of our students. His open-door policy, willingness to listen to concerns, and collaborative approach have fostered a supportive and inclusive school environment where students feel valued and empowered to thrive.”
Claiming “his departure would undoubtedly leave a void that would be extremely challenging to fill,” the petition asks the school board to “reconsider the superintendent's recommendation.”
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