Crestview board plans to terminate teacher’s contract

staff report

COLUMBIANA — The Crestview Local Board of Education plans to end the contract next month of English teacher Shari Clark, who district officials said kissed and touched five female students.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 18.

Superintendent John Dilling said Tuesday that Clark can file a written request with the board to have a hearing before the next meeting.

Dilling said neither Clark nor her attorney was present at the board meeting Monday evening, when the board decided to proceed.

Clark, of Negley, is a 15-year employee of the district and has served as a cheerleading adviser. She is paid about $53,000 a year.

One unidentified student’s mother became concerned when Clark talked to the student by cell phone for more than 4,000 minutes in April.

According to Dilling, the teacher was attempting to counsel the student about undisclosed issues, but has no authority to provide counseling.

Dilling said the teacher’s behavior was not acceptable.

Clark could not be contacted.