LEAVITTSBURG — The LaBrae Board of Education hired former Administrator David Bowser to temporarily oversee the district’s transportation department.

The transportation issue appears to be the final push in a split school district that has found itself in the spotlight repeatedly within the last year.

Also, about 10 residents are circulating a petition requesting Superintendent Ronald Joseph’s resignation. The residents say they plan to present the signed petitions at February’s regularly scheduled board meeting.

The district came under scrutiny for a Dec. 13 decision to transport four parochial and charter school students in a cargo van without secured seats. The Ohio State Highway Patrol cited the district with two administrative code violations and is working with the Ohio Department of Education in its investigation.

The board voted unanimously to pay Bowser $200 a day or $25 an hour temporarily while the district researches other management solutions.

Board member Amie Crowder requested a time limit be attached to the agreement, but the board declined.

Representatives from ODE plan to talk with local prosecutors about future sanctions against the district or those involved in the Dec. 13 incident, but it is not clear when that meeting will take place.

Joseph has said the district is considering contracting with an outside firm to take over management responsibilities and left open the idea of contract the entire transportation department pending negotiations with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 278 whose contract expires in June.

JoAnn Johntony, OAPSE’s state president and Trumbull County resident, said there are many cases in Ohio where outsourcing proved more costly.

‘‘Don’t go to a company to do your busing because it will not only cost you more money each year, but it also will cost you legal fees because we will not back down and allow you to do away with your bus drivers who have worked here for years,’’ Johntony said.

Board member Rusty Sewell encouraged the public to be patient, saying the board plans to address the problem, but has to first wait until all the information is available.

‘‘I know you want some decisions made and some discipline taken, and we will do what we have to, but we have to wait until all the information is in. If we reprimand someone now and more information comes, we can’t reprimand them again for the same instance,’’ Sewell said.

Sewell also acknowledged complaints against Joseph, saying the superintendent was aware of some of the day’s events, but not all.

A three-page pamphlet listing ‘‘unacceptable actions that are not in the best interest of our district’’ is being circulating along with the petition against Joseph.

Joseph declined to comment on the petition until it is formerly introduced to the board, saying there have been recently circulated petitions requesting his resignation and petitions supporting his role as superintendent.

By AMY McCULLOUGH Tribune Chronicle
amccullough [at] tribune-chronicle [dot] com