Things Get Heated At The School Board Meeting

MARIETTA, OH — Emotions were high as a seemingly unprecedented number of people came out to this month’s board meeting of the Marietta City Schools. It took place in the Marietta High School cafeteria this time. This wasn’t just to show off the new renovations, it was to deal with the size of the crowd. The usual school board office couldn’t even handle the overflow.

Live in Marietta? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow Marietta Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone

No one was turned away, but some were complaining that they couldn’t speak. There are only 30 minutes of public comment allowed at each meeting. Each speaker is given up to 3 minutes, so 10 speakers fill up the docket. Usually, this isn’t a problem, this month it was. More than 10 people wanted to speak. So what has driven parents and community members out in such large numbers? A few things.

Some were upset with traffic issues and other woes having to do with the reorganization. The entire school district looks different than it did in June when school let out. Marietta High School now houses grades 7-12. Marietta Middle School is now Marietta Elementary School which serves students grades 3-6. And all students grades K-2 will be split between the two remaining elementary schools.

The hot topic had to do with Superintendent Will Hampton’s contract. A post has been widely circulated on Facebook saying that the Board of Education is attempting to ram a new 5-year contract through for Hampton. The post said Hampton and the school board had a “record of leadership failures as of late with the lack of financial transparency, multiple failed levy proposals, non-existent student recruitment, over-focus on athletics over academics, and the recent traffic disasters at the beginning of this school year, this proposal to keep and enhance the pay for Hampton at the taxpayers’ expense with no metrics for evaluating success is UNACCEPTABLE!!!”

The school board handled some routine housekeeping early on in the meeting, but tensions really started rising when school board member Mark Duckworth got up to speak.

He said he had fundamental differences with School Board President Russ Garrison and the direction he’s leading the district. He said that the decision by the last board to extend the contract of Superintendent Will Hampton was inappropriate, as it was done just 4 days before the general election.

“That extension essentially removed the opportunity of the new board members, me included, to have any input into the review process of a possible extension of our employee.”

He said that his understanding of the Ohio Revised Code is that this move was a violation of the law and that there are numerous court cases in the state that have echoed that statement. Duckworth said that not only did the previous board not conduct an evaluation of Superintendent Hampton and that the current board didn’t examine the issue.

“Now I am being pressured, as is the rest of the school board to repeat the same action, to the new people who will be elected in November.”

He said he won’t support that kind of action, and ended by saying that we’re lucky to have six school board candidates vying to fill three school board seats in November. He asked folks to pick their brains before deciding on who to vote for.

But the room really came alive when the public comments started.

Diane Crandall started things off by saying that she was floored that only 36% of Marietta students are proficient in math and only 50% proficient in reading. She said that the teachers are likely trying, but could be hamstrung by state interference. “So unless you can justify why we have these figures I suggest you be a little more careful with how you spend our money.”

John Lehman said that Marietta City Schools is at its lowest right now. He said the school board is inept and has been making poor decisions. He said the superintendent is in over his head and doesn’t deserve another contract with a high price tag. He asserted that the conditions of the schools are an affront to taxpayers. He accused the school system of churning out kids unprepared for the workforce, and many in need of remedial math and English. Lehman said what was needed was new leadership.

“I’m asking for the resignation of this entire board. The community no longer trusts you to do the wise and proper things necessary to educate our youth. Please resign now, and allow more competent citizens to take your place.”

Kathleen McNerney is a teacher and she asked why after working without a contract for 7 months did they only get a modest pay raise and a reduction in HSA contribution.

“Now, just a few months later, that same school board proposes to offer the superintendent an 18% raise with all benefits paid by the district 10 months before his contract even expires.”

She said a move like this fosters mistrust and animosity.

Mark Weihl echoed the sentiment of McNerney. He said that the school board should be offering the teachers a contract comparable to the one being considered for Superintendent Hampton. He also took issue with how funds are being allocated in the district. He said teachers are having to pay out of pocket to get their classrooms ready for the year.

“That’s shameful folks. I don’t know how you can look these wonderful dedicated employees in the eye when you didn’t do anything for them, yet you do things like this.”

Local attorney Ethan Vessels is one of the six candidates running for the board of education. He said that this board should not approve Superintendent Will Hampton’s contract. He said if he wins he may vote to keep Hampton, but stressed that it should be the next school board who makes that decision.

“I believe that’s why people want to vote in November.”

He said to approve a new contract for Hampton won’t just be a bad move politically, but also legally suspect.

A Mrs. Fairbanks said that the school board has failed the school district. She said the decision to consolidate the school district during a global pandemic and during the era of school shootings is a bad move.

“This is not the time for raises or restructuring.”

Betsy Belleville also took issue with the possible renewal of Superintendent Will Hampton’s contract. She said we need new leadership. She also said the district needs to use pandemic relief funds for pandemic relief. She accused the board of spending pandemic money on things like plans for a new sports complex and a new concession stand.

She also pointed out the inconsistency in the district concerning masks. She said that it's confusing that students have to wear masks on the bus, but not in the actual classrooms.

Adam Eichhorn addressed each school board member individually. He called on all of them to do better, to not approve a new contract for Superintendent Hampton, and he called for Russ Garrison to resign.

Bruce Haas brought up issues with the curriculum. He said that a curriculum item is the poetry of Bruce Springsteen, and he said that maybe not appropriate. He asked for full transparency and would like all high school educational materials in the coming months.

“The books, the handouts, the visual aids, that they all be made available.”

He also asked for all PDFs, links, lessons, and the like.

“Anytime in the next couple of months would be fine. I’m sure the curriculum director and teaching staff will be eager to proudly show the community what they have selected for the continuing education of students.”

When it was announced that time was over for public comment, one parent had an outburst. She flew into a rage, yelling that the school board didn’t want to let her speak because they didn’t want to hear what she had to say. She yelled about masks in school. As she was storming out she shouted that we need to watch out because they’re going to want to inject our kids in schools in the coming years.

The board finished up some more routine business then adjourned saying that they would be going into an executive session. It isn’t known if there was any action taken on Superintendent Hampton’s contract.

There has been a special meeting set for September 16 to specifically address curriculum concerns.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Marietta Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of our latest sponsors? Email any and all inquiries to me at christopher.schmitt@patch.com