By LISA SIMPSON STRANGE
GLASGOW — An investigation into employee hiring practices within the Glasgow Independent Schools District has been closed for now by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Office of Educational Accountability (OEA) with no additional punitive action being recommended against board vice chair LaDonna Rogers.
In a preliminary report issued on April 28 of an OEA investigation into complaints alleging interference by Rogers in “the hiring or appointment of district employees,” it was concluded that Rogers had violated her oath of office as a Glasgow Board of Education member and Glasgow Superintendent Kathy Goff had violated state school hiring laws.
The investigation began after questions were raised about undue influence being exerted by Rogers and Goff during the hiring of a Glasgow High School football coach in February. The OEA also reported the board as a whole came very close to violating the law when a special-called meeting was scheduled, but then later canceled, that would have allowed members of the public to comment on the hiring decision as well.
Rogers, Goff and the other members of the school board were required to undergo additional training on legal issues pertaining to personnel matters, which they completed in July.
The Glasgow Daily Times had sent open records requests on Aug. 13 to the OEA and the KDE asking for all documentation regarding the investigation. That information was received Wednesday.
In a letter sent to Marcia Seiler, OEA executive director, on June 26, regarding Rogers by KDE General Counsel Kevin C. Brown, he stated, “Commissioner (Kevin) Noland and I have reviewed the materials and discussed these allegations at length. At this time, it is our determination that there is insufficient clear evidence of a significant violation of KRS 160.170 or 156.132 that would warrant prosecution for removal from office.”
Included in documents released to the Daily Times by Brown were affidavits from school board chairman Jerry Ream, Glasgow High School Principal Kelly Bell and Director of Pupil Personnel Randy Wilkinson, along with an affidavit from Rogers and other evidence including e-mails from Rogers and Goff.
The documents had been forwarded to the KDE by Michael Owsley, of the law firm of English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley LLP, of Bowling Green, who represents Rogers.
Ream, Bell and Wilkinson all stated in their affidavits that they had never seen or heard of Rogers trying to influence a hiring decision of any district employee.
Ream confirmed his statements in his affidavit following a special-called board meeting Wednesday night. Wilkinson had no comment after the meeting and Bell was unavailable for comment.
Goff said Wednesday night she was unaware of the existence of the affidavits and so couldn’t comment on any information they might contain.
“I don’t know what to comment on because I had no knowledge of any affidavits and no knowledge of anything and actually that’s why yesterday I had just written the commissioner an e-mail requesting some information on where we stood because I felt like our board was beginning to move in a positive direction and I didn’t want something to come back and flare up on us at a later time,” Goff said. “I didn’t know who had signed affidavits. I didn’t know that attorney Owsley was involved ... this is kind of catching me off-guard.”
In an e-mail to Brown on June 15, Owsley noted that the affidavits and exhibits had been submitted to Brown.
“We believe that the OEA’s conclusions and recommendations were not justified based on the affidavits we submitted on (Roger’s) behalf. We are not aware of any counter affidavits as none were provided to us,” Owsley wrote.
Goff sent an e-mail to KDE Commissioner Terry Holliday on Tuesday stating that she had heard an OEA investigation into Roger’s actions had been dropped and inquiring into the reasons why. She also requested that she be allowed to talk to Holliday about the results of the investigation.
“I have recently heard that this has been dismissed and would not be sent to the State Board. I have received no correspondence from anyone and am lost on what the status of the situation is. I would be honored if you could allow me to speak to you for a few brief moments to explain the situation,” Goff wrote in her e-mail sent to Holliday two days ago.
Holliday was named state education commissioner in July, replacing Noland, who was serving on an interim basis.
Rogers said Wednesday night she just wants to move forward.
“I would just say that the letter from Kevin Brown to Marcia Seiler speaks for itself and I’m just happy that we can get back to the work of taking care of children in Glasgow Independent Schools,” Rogers said.
