Marietta BOE votes again on Hampton contract | News, Sports, Jobs

Marietta City Schools Board of Education President Eric Reed discussed the superintendent’s contract at the Marietta board meeting Monday. (Photo by James Dobbs)

The Marietta City Schools Board of Education met Monday and heard from concerned community members about the vote for Superintendent Will Hampton’s contract.

During the citizen forum, Mark Weihl recalled a previous board meeting in January 2018 where the board adopted Webster’s New World Robert’s Rules of Order as its parliamentary authority.

Weihl suggested that Board President Eric Reed made a mistake when he called the board to vote on Hampton’s contract without discussion. Weihl suggested that without the discussion or the proper order of the parliamentary procedure that Hampton’s contract is invalid.

“This is the second consecutive time that the board has renewed Mr. Hampton’s contract in error,” he said.

Weihl said based on Ohio Revised Code, if the issue is not fixed before March 1, Hampton’s previous contract will rollover and his previous salary and benefits would stay the same.

Stacey Hall, Washington County Career Center representative, briefly gives an update on the career center. (Photo by James Dobbs)

The board rescinded the contract approval.

Board member Russ Garrison, said this action was not legally required, but was being taken to placate the concerns of the community.

Reed said the board wanted to make sure that this doesn’t become an issue.

Board member Cody Parman said it is important to have consistency.

After a motion, a second and a short discussion, the board voted to renew Hampton’s contract once more.

Garrison, Bill Hutchinson and Reed voted yes, while Parman and Sam Tuten voted no.

Stacey Hall, Washington County Career Center representative, briefly gave an update on the career center. She said there would be a business and community advisory meeting on internships on March 10, between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.. She said this will help businesses work with students through internships. Hall said there will also be an open house to celebrate the 50th anniversary of WCCC on April 7 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m..

During the Superintendent’s update, Hampton said the school calendar would be on the agenda to vote on at next month’s board meeting. Hampton also suggested including an online component for makeup days. He said the board might need to talk about how many days they would choose to make up virtually, because he doesn’t want to diminish the value of in-person instruction.

Darrell Prim, facilities and transportation manager, asked the board to approve the purchase of another school bus. The board had previously approved the purchase of two buses. Ohio has given the green light to purchase over 500 buses across the state. The state is supplying up to $45,000 per school bus to school districts with older models. The board approved a resolution to purchase another school bus.