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Public commenter accuses district staff of misconduct; superintendent declines public response, board expresses support
Summary
During public comment, Darby Bodie accused district staff of mishandling alleged misconduct and urged leadership change; Superintendent Ashley Whitley declined to discuss personnel publicly, offering private follow-up, and several board members expressed support for her leadership.
A public commenter on June 9 accused Lakota Local Schools staff of mishandling alleged misconduct, prompting a short response from Superintendent Ashley Whitley and supportive remarks from board members.
Darby Bodie used her allotted public-comment time to name current and former employees and to allege failures in reporting and discipline. In a statement read to the board she alleged that a former interim superintendent, 'Rob Bogelman,' and others were tied to a pattern of favoritism, and she accused an HR director, identified in her remarks as Jeff Ruff, of defending an older employee’s inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student and of facilitating a retirement. Bodie also referenced criminal charges reported against another employee and asked why the district had not acted more quickly.
Bodie said, 'Where's the missing $60,000? ... Why was he not disgusted by the man who enjoyed photos of naked young children?' She named Superintendent Ashley Whitley and called for leadership change, saying, 'Superintendent Ashley Whitley is doing a terrible job leading this district.'
Superintendent Whitley declined to address personnel matters publicly at the meeting. She said she would not discuss personnel issues 'at this table' but offered to meet with the commenter individually and said the statement contained 'inaccuracies and new information' she would address privately.
Following the public comment period, several board members offered closing remarks praising the board’s work and expressing support for the superintendent. One board member said the board 'supports you and we will continue to support you' so long as district leadership continues to serve students. The board also moved into and returned from an executive session that cited Ohio Revised Code 121.22 exceptions for personnel and related matters before taking several formal votes later in the agenda.
The allegations made during public comment are claims by a member of the public and were not adjudicated or resolved during the meeting; Whitley said the public statement contained inaccuracies and requested private follow-up. The board did not make any formal personnel findings on the record during the June 9 meeting.
