School board OKs payment of $24,165 for teacher's appeal

At last Tuesday's meeting of the school board, members voted to approve payment of invoices totaling $24,165 for the termination hearing of former teacher Jerry Camp.

The hearing is still ongoing, according to school superintendent Francis Scruci, and a resolution is expected by the first of December. This means the school district is still accumulating expenses related to the case.

Camp's contract was terminated in April on the grounds of gross inefficiency and immorality, violating the policies of the board of education, and good and just cause. Camp's behavior has been an ongoing concern for 10 years, as outlined in a report provided by the board of education.

Camp is appealing the termination and the school district is obligated, by law, to pay for the appeals process. Ohio Revised Code 3319.16 outlines the laws governing the termination of a contract by the board of education, including the appointment of a referee by the ODE.

It states, "The referee appointed shall be paid his usual and customary fee for attending the hearing which shall be paid from the school district general fund."