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Residents spar over Smorell hire; supporters and critics address timing and process
Summary
Public speakers divided over the appointment of Rob Smorell Jr. as a district administrator: some residents called the hire a good fit and praised his record, while others said the timing of a board member's resignation and the decision to appoint rather than elect the seat raised conflict-of-interest concerns.
The board heard competing public views about the district's personnel decisions, focusing on the recent hire of Rob (Robert) Smorell Jr. and the resignation of a long-serving board member.
John Greaves, a Clark resident, said it "looks like a bad odor" that a board member's son is being named vice principal and noted the resignation occurred days before a filing deadline, which he said would allow the board to appoint a replacement rather than have voters choose one. "I think it's a bad look that a board member's, for a very long time, son is getting a position of vice principal," Greaves said.
Other community members defended the hire. Gus Kalikas, an administrator who said he has known Smorell Jr. since high school, praised Smorell's record as an athlete and educator and urged the board to welcome him. "I could not be happier that Rob Smorell will be joining our administrative team here at Arthur L. Johnson High School," Kalikas said. Bill Dugan also congratulated Smorell and thanked a retiring board member for long service.
Board members and the superintendent answered questions about the interview process and emphasized that hiring followed standard procedures; the board subsequently approved personnel items 1–20 by motion and roll call. No formal ethics finding or legal determination was made during the meeting; concerns raised by speakers were not resolved on the record and the board indicated staff would follow up on procedural questions.
