In the March 22 edition of the Stow Sentry (“Board May Cut Business Post”), School Board President Denny Mariola and Superintendent Russ Jones make some confusing statements (in bold print below) concerning their anticipated release of the district’s Business Manager. Our comments appear below each statement…

Mariola stated this action “was only one part of the ways we can reduce our costs…people aren’t realizing that it’s just one piece of the whole puzzle.”

We would counter: Of course we aren’t seeing the “whole puzzle”. It is not being discussed in public.

In reference to additional cuts Mariola said, “We have a direction we are going,” Later he stressed that while the decisions are “pretty set, the possibilities are there” for changes before the meeting.

Again, where is the public discussion? Not that we’re not used to last minute changes. The agenda proposing the superintendent’s bloated contract extension was not posted on the district website until mere hours before the vote was taken.

Countering the Business Manager’s statement that he doesn’t “see eye-to-eye with the Board, superintendent and treasurer,” President Mariola responded “we are not running a personality parade in our school district.”

What does that mean? Had the board considered releasing the HR position, with equal savings and far less ramifications to the district, or had it not been orchestrating this action since September, that statement might be a little easier to swallow. In our opinion the business manager didn’t see eye-to-eye with them about questionable decisions they were making, so he became a liability they couldn’t afford.

The Superintendent mysteriously declined to comment on the abolishment of the business manager’s position, saying that he didn’t want to discuss “personnel issues.”

Funny, but when the HR director, High School Principal and Transportation Supervisor’s experience and salaries were publicly questioned, he had plenty to say in defense of these “personnel issues.”

The superintendent said administrators were looking at all potential cost reductions, but declined to give additional information on other possible staff cuts at this time.

More surprises in store? Like it or not, the board and superintendent are again reminded that, according to law, these are not “closed door” topics. At some point, they should have been talking about positions, not specific personnel. These discussions must take place in public. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO HIDE?