Clear Fork elementary principal suspended without pay

BELLVILLE - The Clear Fork Board of Education Wednesday night in a special meeting voted to suspend elementary principal Kirsten DeVito without pay immediately and begin proceedings for her termination.

According to the superintendent's recommendation in the board minutes, "recent allegations have been made concerning Mrs. DeVito's inappropriate conduct as it relates to teacher evaluations, including utilizing teachers' signatures without their knowledge and/or approval."

The board of education online report noted questionable evaluation forms resulted in a personnel file investigation, which resulted in the discovery of numerous issues associated with the evaluation of Bellville teachers that were prepared by DeVito.

Concerns with respect to DeVito's performance have been investigated by Superintendent Janice Wyckoff, according to the document. DeVito was assigned to home with pay during the investigation.

DeVito and her legal counsel were provided a draft copy of the grounds for consideration of her termination, according to the document. DeVito was provided with an opportunity to respond to the grounds on Aug. 9, Aug. 24 and Sept. 18, according to the report. The attachment was not available online on the district's website.

The board will proceed with termination proceedings at an Oct. 8 meeting unless DeVito files a written demand with the treasurer for a hearing before the board or before a referee with 10 days after receipt of the treasurer's notice, in which case a hearing will be held pursuant to the provisions of Ohio Revised Code, according to the superintendent's minutes. 

DeVito could not be reached for comment.

 lwhitmir@nncogannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir