Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: Dr. Brad Goldie

  • Guest Column: Deep concerns about vacant School Board replacement process

    Guest Column: Deep concerns about vacant School Board replacement process

    Eileen Washburn (Loveland Schools Photo)

    By Eileen Washburn

    Dear Members of the Loveland City School District Community,

    I write to you today as an individual member of the Loveland City School District School Board to share my deep concerns about the recent appointment process to fill a vacant school board seat. While I represent just one voice among our board members, it is vital for me to articulate my perspective on this issue as it pertains to the core principles of fairness, impartiality, and the integrity of the democratic processes that underlie our educational institution. (Hamilton County Probate Judge Ralph Winkler appoints Linda Cecil to vacant School Board seat)

    The situation at hand stemmed from the school board’s appointment of Dr. Brad Goldie to the vacant school board seat. Unfortunately, due to an unforeseen glitch in the process, Mr. Goldie was unable to assume the position, and by state law, the seat appointment was redirected to probate court. I want to emphasize that Mr. Goldie is eminently qualified, having dedicated countless hours to improving the financial health of our district. Furthermore, he is not a candidate in the upcoming November election, distinguishing him from other applicants.

    Recognizing the significance of this matter, our School Board took the proactive step of sending a detailed letter to Hamilton County Probate Judge Ralph Winkler, outlining the background, circumstances, and our earnest intent in making this appointment. Regrettably, it appears that our intent, as representatives elected by district voters, was not taken into consideration by Judge Winkler.

    It is crucial that the appointment of a school board member be conducted in a manner that prioritizes qualifications, experience, and a steadfast dedication to our students and their families. As stewards of our educational system, the decisions we make have a profound impact on the educational experiences of our children. Thus, our foremost duty is to ensure that these decisions are guided by the best interests of our students.

    One of the fundamental tenets that govern our actions is impartiality, particularly during an election season, to safeguard our board from undue political influences. This commitment to impartiality is vital to maintaining the integrity of our educational institution.

    In response to concerns, Judge Winkler has conveyed in email correspondence that he made the best decision possible under the constraints of the law. However, it is worth noting that he did not engage in conversations with the applicants, their references, or any current board members, raising questions about the comprehensiveness of the decision-making process.

    As individual school board members, we take immense pride in serving in non-partisan positions and remain dedicated to focusing exclusively on the educational needs of our students, free from political biases or external influences.

    I want to assure our community that my commitment to delivering an exceptional education to our students remains unwavering. I will continue to work tirelessly to uphold the values that have made our school district a source of pride for our community.

    Sincerely,

    Eileen Washburn
    Loveland City School District Individual School Board Member

  • Application process for open school board seat re-opens

    Application process for open school board seat re-opens

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland School Board has been functioning with only four members since Kevin Dougherty resigned effective June 30. As previously reported the board of education appointed Dr. Brad Goldie on July 17 to the unexpired term but later had to rescind their vote. (School Board calls special meeting to rescind appointment of new member)

    Then, because, of the circumstances of the Board missing the deadline to re-vote and re-affirm Goldie’s appointment, Ohio Law requires the decision to now be made by the Hamilton County Probate Court. That court has now requested that persons interested in being appointed apply directly to the court administrator.

    Applications are due by September 1, however, the administrator has not responded to Loveland Magazine’s phone request inquiring about when the Probate Court intends to make the appointment.

    The circumstance arose after the Board’s meeting of July 17 when they met in an open session to interview prospective candidates via phone calls, and voted to appoint Goldie, but later learned that all of the doors to the building were locked and the public could not attend the meeting. After receiving advice from their lawyer that if the doors were indeed locked the meeting was a violation of Ohio’s open meetings law the Board then met on July 26 and rescinded the vote to appoint Goldie.

    The District’s attorney then called the Hamilton County Probate Court informing it what had happened and that the time allowance for the Board to make the appointment had passed. The District has received no further communication from the court except that they were requested to post the new application process on the District website, which they did.

    The Board also communicated to the court that they have reaffirmed their support for Dr. Goldie to fill the unexpired term.

    Meanwhile on July 18, attorney Curt Hartman on behalf of a client made a public records request for “all video or audiovisual recordings within the interior and the exterior of the Board Administrative Offices from July 17, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm all video footage from inside and outside cameras at the building.” There is no indication that Hartman has followed up with legal action since receiving the files which were mailed to him on a flash drive.

    _______________________

    HERE IS HOW TO NOW APPLY FOR THE VACANT SEAT AS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY PROBATE COURT

    _______________

    RECENT ALERTS

    LOVELAND CITY SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY

    NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT

    Having been advised of a vacancy on the Loveland City School Board pursuant to R.C. 3313.85, Hamilton County Probate Judge Ralph Winkler is accepting applications from eligible candidates interested in serving on the Loveland City School Board.  The person selected to fill the vacancy shall hold office for the shorter of the terms specified in R.C. 3313.11.  Eligible candidates must be registered voters that live in the Loveland City School District.

    Applications, which must include a resume and three references, will be accepted until September 1, 2023.  Please address applications to:

    Scott Weikel, Court Administrator
    Hamilton County Probate Court
    William Howard Taft Law Center
    230 E. Ninth Street, 10th Floor
    Cincinnati, OH 45202
    E-mail to: Scott Weikel

  • School Board calls special meeting to rescind appointment of new member

    School Board calls special meeting to rescind appointment of new member

    Dr. Brad Goldie

    Loveland, Ohio – In a special meeting on July 17, the Loveland City School District voted to appoint Dr. Brad Goldie to fill the unexpired term of  Kevin Daugherty. According to a news release by the District on Monday, the Board will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, July 26th, at 5 PM to rescind the appointment because the front door of the building was locked to the public.

    For background: School Board appoints Dr. Brad Goldie to vacant position.

    The new special meeting will be held in the LIS/LMS Media Center at 757 South Lebanon Road. Hearing from the public will not be included in the agenda for this meeting.

    The recommended action on the agenda for the meeting is only to “rescind its appointment of a candidate to the vacant Board seat.” Nothing in the communications revel when the Board might again vote to make an appointment to the vacant seat. Daugherty’s resignation was effective, June 30th.

    Below is the statement released Monday by Board President, Dr. Kathryn Lorenz:

    July 24, 2023

    The Loveland City School District Board of Education held a Special Meeting on July 17, 2023, to fill a vacancy on the Board. After interviewing all interested candidates, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Brad Goldie.

    All public portions of the July 17 Special Meeting were recorded and are available to view on the Board’s YouTube page. Due to an oversight, the front door of the building was not unlocked to allow public access. Because of this procedural error, I have called a Special Meeting of the Loveland Board of Education for this Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 5 pm in the Media Center of the Loveland Intermediate School.

    During this week’s Special Meeting, the Board will consider a motion to rescind the action taken during the July 17 Meeting. I will be bringing forward this motion in the interest of transparency and following proper procedure – it is no reflection on Dr. Goldie or any of the candidates who indicated an interest in the Board vacancy. I want to thank Dr. Goldie for his interest and willingness to serve.

    1. Opening Items
    Subject
    1.1 Call to Order
    Meeting
    Jul 26, 2023 – Special Board Meeting
    Category
    1. Opening Items
    Type
    Action
    Recommended Action
    Board President to call the meeting to order.

    Dr. Lorenz calls the meeting to order at __________ p.m. by asking the Treasurer to call the roll.

    ROLL CALL:

    ____ Rev. Eilert

    ____ Dr. Lorenz

    ____ Dr. Schwetschenau

    ____ Mrs. Washburn

    Subject
    1.2 Adoption of Agenda
    Meeting
    Jul 26, 2023 – Special Board Meeting
    Category
    1. Opening Items
    Type
    Action
    Recommended Action
    Board to adopt the July 26, 2023, agenda as presented/amended.

    ________________moved and ____________________ seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the Special Board Meeting held Monday, July 26, 2023.

    ROLL CALL VOTE:

    ____ Rev. Eilert

    ____ Dr. Lorenz

    ____ Dr. Schwetschenau

    ____ Mrs. Washburn

    2. Board Resolutions
    Subject
    2.1 Rescension of Appointment to Vacant Board Seat
    Meeting
    Jul 26, 2023 – Special Board Meeting
    Category
    2. Board Resolutions
    Type
    Action
    Recommended Action
    The Board is to rescind its appointment of a candidate to the vacant Board seat.

    ___________________ moved and  _____________________ seconded a motion to rescind its appointment of Dr. Brad Goldie to the vacant Board seat due to a procedural error.

    ROLL CALL VOTE:

    ____ Rev. Eilert

    ____ Dr. Lorenz

    ____ Dr. Schwetschenau

    ____ Mrs. Washburn

    3. Meeting Closing
    Subject
    3.1 Adjournment
    Meeting
    Jul 26, 2023 – Special Board Meeting
    Category
    3. Meeting Closing
    Type
    Action
    Recommended Action
    Board President will ask for a motion and second to adjourn the meeting.

    ________________moved and ____________________ seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.

    ROLL CALL VOTE:

    ____ Rev. Eilert

    ____ Dr. Lorenz

    ____ Dr. Schwetschenau

    ____ Mrs. Washburn