TWINSBURG — The Twinsburg Board of Education faced difficult decisions Wednesday evening, approving a controversial settlement agreement with Assistant Principal Scott Astey while addressing growing financial concerns flagged by the state.
In a contentious 3-2 vote, the board approved a settlement agreement allowing Astey to return to his position at Wilcox Primary School. Board members Leah Travis, Tina Davis and Beth Egan voted in favor, while Maria Hamilton and Rhonda Crawford opposed.
“I’m voting based on being a woman and a mother and I’ll just leave it at that,” Hamilton said before casting her no vote.
Davis expressed frustration with the situation, stating the process “went on much longer than it should have” and that the board was not initially provided with all factual information needed to make an informed decision.
“We are not pleased at all in the position that we’ve been put in over this situation,” Davis said. She emphasized the board would maintain “zero tolerance for certain things” and keep a “very watchful eye” on district operations moving forward.
The meeting also featured the official introduction of Interim Superintendent Steve Marlow, a Twinsburg native and former district superintendent who previously served from 2005-2011. Marlow began his new role last week.
“I’m excited to be back, but also very nervous because this is really home,” Marlow told attendees. “At home, you always want to do the best you possibly can.”
However, Marlow brought concerning news about the district’s financial health. The state auditor recently identified eight “cautionary or critical” financial indicators out of 17 total measures used to assess fiscal stress in school districts.
“So it’s our job now to address this so we don’t get ourselves into the position of fiscal caution, fiscal watch or fiscal emergency,” Marlow explained. “We need to work together as a team to come up with strategies to try to eliminate those things that are causing us fiscal stress.”
The board also celebrated the success of the 50th annual Twins Days Festival, which welcomed 2,560 sets of multiples – the largest gathering since 2002. The festival’s 5K race saw over 400 runners, while the golf outing attracted 84 participants, both record numbers.
Board member Egan presented a plaque recognizing the school district’s continued support of the festival to Marlow and the board.
In other business, the board approved multiple special education agreements totaling over $185,000 for students to attend specialized schools, including contracts with Applewood Centers and Monarch School.
Emergency repairs across district buildings were also approved, with catch basin and asphalt work at multiple schools totaling approximately $61,000 in permanent improvement expenditures.
Board member Davis announced she will not seek reelection in fall, ending 12 years of service. Davis, whose youngest child recently graduated, said it was time to “pass the baton to somebody who’s actively involved in the district.”
She also addressed criticism on social media, saying she remained committed to taking “the high road” and refusing to engage in “personal attacks or online smear campaigns.”
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20.
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