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NEWTON FALLS -- Because of concerns raised by community members on the wording of a June 29 meeting notice, the Newton Falls Board of Education at their meeting Thursday decided to vote again on the same agenda items from the prior meeting, including the contract for the school superintendent.
Before the start of Thursday's meeting, Board President Tonya Kline said the board would act on the same items from the June 29 meeting.
The notice stated the June 25 meeting was being rescheduled to June 29, with an executive session included to consider the employment and compensation of a public employee or official, with no action to follow.
Yet on June 29 the board met in executive session and then took action on several items, including the superintendent's contract.
The board voted 3-2 on a new three-year contract for Andreas Johansson as superintendent from Aug.1, 2027 to July 31, 2030.
Voting in favor of the contract were Kline, Teresa Oakes and Mark Stimpert, while voting against were Rachael Rankin and Jae Leeworthy
Before the vote, Rankin requested an executive session on personnel for additional information regarding Johansson, but Oakes said the board spent more than an hour at the June 29 meeting in executive session on personnel and then voted.
The board voted 3-2 against going into executive session.
Rankin said since Johansson's current contract ends July 31, 2027, she recommended the item be tabled and the board wait until December to review and discuss any extension of his contract.
"There is no reason we can't table this. He is not going anywhere,'' she said.
Rankin also read a letter from Scott Kernan, a retired Newton Falls guidance counselor, who said Johansson showed poor communication and relations with school staff, including how he was not being renewed for his position.
Kline and Oakes said they have received comments from the public stating that Johansson has provided stability for the district.
Oakes said it would not look well to the public for the board to change its vote after its decision on June 29.
"I am not changing my vote. We would not be here again voting on all of this if it were not for an interim treasurer,'' she said.
Before the board's vote on the contract, several people spoke both for and against Johansson getting an additional three-year extended contract.
Resident Brian Kropp said he was glad the board was being transparent and voting again on the items from the June 29 meeting.
He said he is against Johansson getting a three year contract, saying he has attended many school board meetings and based on his observation and what he has heard from the public, he does not have any confidence in Johansson's leadership.
"I urge the board to reject a proposed extension of Superintendent Johansson's contract. This school district deserves leadership that restores public confidence rather than eroding it. Tonight is an opportunity for the board to begin rebuilding that trust. Vote on what is truly in the best interest of the students, staff, families and taxpayers of the school district,'' said resident Samantha Kropp, who was reading a statement for her husband, Brian Kropp.
Tracy Hostetler, superintendent of the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, said she has worked with Johansson and found him ''compassionately dedicated to the students of the school district."
"He is a visionary with unrelenting ambition,'' she said, telling the board he should continue as superintendent in the district.
Christine Hanysh, director of social services at the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, said she has worked with Johansson and said he is an integral part of the school district and his actions help in strengthening the support system of the district.
"He keeps students at the center of every decision he makes," Hanysh said.
Sandra Furano,director of career counseling services at the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, said through Johansson, the district was able to provide weekly career exploration programs to district students.
"He has made sure the students who graduate are prepared for their futures and confident in the opportunities that lie ahead," Furano said.
Staff members praised Johansson's leadership, indicating there has been a lot of growth in the district as he empowers other staff to lead as well.
In other business, the board voted 4-0-1 to table a motion to name teacher Julie Stimpert as Student Success/Behavior Coordinator for the upcoming school year.
Mark Stimpert abstained from the vote since Julie is his spouse.
Leeworthy said he wants more time to hear the process that was done for the position and who was interviewed.
He said he heard from people who are concerned about the process for hiring a board member's relative for an administrative position.
"I want to be made clear on the process that was done for the position,'' Leeworthy said, noting he wants to know how many people were considered or interviewed
Johansson said the item can be tabled to the Aug. 20 meeting, He said he will meet with the board and explain the reason for the position and the steps to find someone for it.
Kline said the board wants to be transparent.
Also the board approved an addendum to the technology/EMIS coordinator position, providing an annual stipend of $4,500 for social media management and website-related duties.