Board appoints former Elyria chief to oversee Parma City safety amid a lone dissent

Parma City School District trustees approved the appointment of William Pelco as supervisor of safety, security and student wellness after discussion at the May board meeting; one board member announced a planned no vote citing concerns about Pelco’s handling of misconduct investigations during his tenure as Elyria police chief.

A board member who said she would vote no read excerpts of a letter from Elyria’s Safety-Service Director, Chris Pynowski, alleging delays and inaction in the review of officer misconduct while Pelco served as Elyria police chief. The board member said those concerns led her to conclude Pelco had not consistently demonstrated “good judgment and a commitment to enforcement of proper police protocol and standards.” She said she would vote against the candidate for that reason.

Superintendent Dr. Smolik (as recorded in the meeting) and other district staff defended Pelco’s record. In public remarks the superintendent summarized Pelco’s law-enforcement career beginning in 1994, his promotions within Elyria to chief, and described management achievements the administration considered relevant: overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget, introducing body-worn camera policies, and directing major investigations. The administration said Pelco had been interviewed during a competitive hiring process that included multiple applicants and a multi-member panel and that references were checked.

Board discussion noted that an earlier handling of officer discipline in Elyria involved multiple actors, including the mayor’s office and law director, and that a change in municipal leadership affected subsequent actions. The district officials said Pelco’s recommendation during the Elyria matter had included disciplinary options up to termination and a proposed 30-day suspension, and that the hiring panel considered those facts and references when recommending him.

After discussion the Board took a roll call and the appointment was approved. The transcript records at least one board member voting no and the superintendent’s remarks entered into the record; the meeting record shows the resolution for the appointment was approved. No additional disciplinary or policy changes were adopted by the board at the time of the vote.

The board’s materials listed the item as a personnel appointment; because the discussion included confidential personnel background and investigative details, portions of the topic were handled with references to written records and to outside municipal correspondence. The board did not vote on any policy changes regarding investigative timelines or discipline protocols at this meeting.