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Board Names Interim Superintendent by 3-0 Vote

July 17th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

By  a vote of 3-0 with two members abstaining, the Allegany County Board of  Educaton on Tuesday selected Jeffrey Blank to serve as the interim superintendent through next June. Blank, who serves as the Chief Administrative Officer, was one of three candidates interviewed last week. Board members Robert Farrell, Wayne Foote and David Bohn voted in support of  naming Blank, while Tammy Fraley and Deb Frank abstained- both saying they objected to what they called a tainted and prejudicial process. Both pointed out that Foote should have recused himself from the process as one of the candidates- Dr Kim Kalbaugh-  is on the state’s witness list in next week’s administrative hearing to determine whether he should be removed from the board. Foote responded, saying simply that he was elected to do a job and he is fulfilling his duties. Prior to the selection of Blank,  Fraley made a motion to suspend the vote until such time a legal opinion as well as an Ethics Commission opinion be sought on the question of Foote’s ability to participate in the process. Board attorney Michael Llewellyn said that in his legal opinion, there is no conflict of interest as defined by state law, and he advised the board to vote.  Fraley’s motion to suspend the vote was defeated by a 3-2 vote.  Ultimately the person selected by the board has to be approved by the state superintendent of schools- and Frank indicated that letters outlining what she called an unfair and flawed process have been sent to the state board for consideration.  Ironically, Dr Kalbaugh served as acting superintendent during Tuesday’s meeting in the absence of Dr David Cox.

One Response to “Board Names Interim Superintendent by 3-0 Vote”

  1. July 17, 2019 at 5:54 am, mac said:

    This website states; leave a reply.
    Earlier I did so and now, suddenly, that comment has been deleted.
    It seems that the correct statement should be; leave a reply and if we agree with it we will allow you to post it.

    Reply

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