Operators of the Ohio company hired to search for a new Canfield Local Schools superintendent were incorrect when they publicly stated they were under no obligation to release information about the people who applied for the job.

The Canfield Board of Education is paying CF Educational Solutions of Middletown $20,000 to conduct the search, and last week company officials told the board of education during a virtual meeting that they would create score sheets of the applicants and not release any names until the finalists are selected.

“Everything will be done in executive session from here out,” CF Educational Solutions’ Bob Sommers told the board.

“There will be no public list until the finalists are selected, so as of right now there is no list. There are only potential candidates, not actual candidates.”

We were alarmed at this statement because it is in direct violation of Ohio’s sunshine laws.

In fact, in 1997 the Ohio Supreme Court had considered a similar case and issued its ruling in favor of openness. In the case, state ex. rel. Gannett Satellite Info Network v. Shirey, Ohio’s justices stated that public entities like the Canfield Board of Education may not conceal information concerning the hiring of important public officials from the public by delegating this uniquely public duty to a private entity.

That high court ruling remains relevant case law today, the Ohio Auditor’s Office confirmed this week.

One day after the meeting in which officials at CF Educational Solutions insisted they wouldn’t be releasing the documents, we presented a written record request explaining our argument to Canfield school officials.

We are pleased to report that we’ve received word that Canfield school officials are in the process of putting together the resumes, and they say they will abide by our public records request.

Readers may remember that Canfield’s last superintendent Alex Geordan resigned abruptly in December after being accused of withholding information about criminal investigations of threats and other incidents in the school district. Two board members also resigned at the time.

Geordan underwent intense scrutiny and outcry from some residents after Canfield police and Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office investigations found he downplayed a Sept. 12 shooting threat investigation and other incidents.

Reports indicated the superintendent misled school district families during an “all-call” message downplaying a threat.

In subsequent weeks, Canfield Local Schools’ openness and transparency was further called into question when the Canfield Police Department released details of 22 incidents dating back to 2012 demonstrating that Canfield Local Schools administration “has a history of failing to report serious threats and other significant incidents to law enforcement.”

Now, as the district struggles to regain the trust of its residents, officials are right to quickly respond and release the records involving the selection process for a new superintendent.

We believe that paying a company that intends to hide the names of applicants from the public is not the right way to regain trust.

Our pursuit of this information is not an attempt to harm applicants who may be seeking to leave their current employment, but rather, to instill trust among residents that the district is acting in their best interest to select a new superintendent who is most qualified and best suited for the district.

The new superintendent must be open and forthcoming with information affecting students and parents. This is not a matter to be taken lightly.

And undoubtedly, the hiring process must be equally open and transparent.

editorial@tribtoday.com

SCRIPTURE

Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

I Thessalonians

5:7-8 NLT