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Two public commenters urge Strongsville board member to resign after alleged OVI stop
Summary
During public comment at the April 23 Strongsville Board of Education meeting, Maggie Kosa and Delaney Demay alleged a board member was cited for OVI and attempted to use mayoral ties to influence police; both speakers urged resignation and greater accountability.
Two residents used the Board of Education's public comment period on April 23 to call for a school board member's resignation after what they described as an impaired-driving incident and an attempted effort to influence a police officer.
Maggie Kosa of 9812 Hazelwood Avenue described watching the intersection of Albian Road and Prospect, where she said a board member nearly hit someone and then appeared more concerned about social status than the potential harm. "The right thing for you to do is to resign and get the help you need," Kosa said, describing her own experience with alcoholism and saying the board member's behavior is circulating among students and parents.
Delaney Demay of 18027 Meadow Lane told the board that a member was cited for OVI on March 17 and "attempted to use her privilege being related to our mayor to influence the response of the police officer who pulled her over." Demay said that invoking a relationship with the mayor "runs in complete opposition" to fairness and integrity and urged the board member to resign.
Board bylaws and the meeting agenda both restrict public comment about personnel, students, staff or board members by name when those remarks involve specific personnel issues; board rules (Policy 0169.1) were identified on the agenda as the guide for public comment. At the meeting, the board listened to the two speakers and then moved on to the consent calendar.
Neither the speaker transcripts nor the board discussion recorded at this meeting include a response from the board member named by the commenters, nor is there a recorded disciplinary or investigatory action voted at this meeting. The criminal case referenced by Demay was described as "not resolved" in her remarks.
The board did not take action during the public meeting to censure or suspend a member; it later moved to enter executive session to consider the employment of a public employee.
What happens next: The statements were made in public comment and no formal board action was recorded in response at this meeting. Any formal personnel or disciplinary process, or any legal outcome from the cited criminal matter, is not contained in the meeting record and would need to be confirmed by the police department or prosecuting agency.
