WCBC

July 1st, 2015 by WCBC Radio

Tuesday was the final official day on the job for the Allegany County Board of Education’s Chief of Security Bob Farrell. Farrell’s position is one of 15 eliminated as of June 30. While Superintendent David Cox says the decisions were budget based, sources close to Farrell and his wife Lorelee say they believe the action was “political”, serving as retribution for Mrs’ Farrell’s decision to run for a seat on the school board last year. While Mrs Farrell is still technically employed by the board,  she is being re-assigned to another position.  Mr Farrell confirmed to WCBC News that he has retained the services of attorney Mike Getty and legal action against the board is being explored. Getty, when contacted by WCBC News declined to comment on any specifics at this point. As to the state of security in the school system, Dr Cox told WCBC News that Farrell’s former responsibilities have been delegated to other employees. WCBC News has also learned that one of the three retired law enforcement officers hired in August of 2013 to provide security for the school system has left the area. That position wasn’t replaced, and instead the board is paying the Allegany County Sheriff’s office overtime to make  deputies available to provide coverage  at North East and Flintstone schools.

Allegany County Schools Superintendent Dr David Cox will be a guest on Thursday morning Dave Norman Program at 9:30 AM, and the issues surrounding security in Allegany County Public Schools will be a topic of discussion.