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Home > Blogs > Springfield Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > January > 26 > Entry
District administrator resigns admid allegations
Springfield schools’ director of technology has resigned from his position amid allegations that his negligence in performing job duties put the district’s already strained financial predicament in further jeopardy.
Anthony J. Smith, 42, resigned his position - after less than a year on the job - effective Friday, Jan. 23, according to documents in his personnel file. He cited “personal and professional differences.”
Smith declined to comment.
Interim Superintendent Don Thompson planned to recommend to the board of education that Smith’s contract be terminated for actions that “constitute incompetency, inefficiency, insubordination, neglect of duty, misfeasance, malfeasance and nonfeasance,” according to a letter addressed to Smith and dated Jan. 20.
Smith was placed on administrative leave Jan. 20 pending the outcome of a termination hearing with the board of education, scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 27.
Smith failed to perform various duties in his capacity as director of technology, including publishing the employee directory, completing Progress Book - the district’s electronic grade card software and completing the district’s technology plan, according to the letter.
According to documents, Smith’s failure to renew an annual agreement for the district’s ADM 200 software put at risk Springfield schools’ ability to process payroll for employees.
He also did not complete applications for a technology reimbursement program called E-Rate, according to documents in the file. The district has been granted an extension by the state of Ohio, but by missing the original deadline, the district risked $100,000 to $200,000 in reimbursements, according to a letter to Smith from Michael Whitfield, business operations manager.
Smith earned $79,367 annually as the district’s technology director and was contracted through the 2009-10 school year, according to the district’s human resources department.
The board will meet Tuesday night at 5 p.m. at South High School to take action regarding Smith’s employment.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Springfield City Schools
Comments
By King of the Lizard People
January 26, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this
So what was he doing with his time at work…at least this is a start to get rid of the incompetence within the districts…however I wonder how long this person collected a paycheck while basically doing absolutely nothing from what it sounds.By Michael J. Pavelka
January 26, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
Just another reason I am glad, real glad that I no longer live, have a business, or have anything to do with Springfield, or Clark County. You, the so called cartakers, and managers of the city and districts, are somehow not accountable to the tax paying citizens. It is time for a march on city government, and all of the school districts. Wake up people! This is only the tip of the iceberg. Make your boards and government accountable for the use of YOUR MONEY!!! Same goes for the federal government, make everyone accountable.By commonsensegal
January 27, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
I have a question about e-rate. I completely understand what it is, but I have two questions that no one seems to be able to answer: 1. Do the e-rate funds go directly into the general fund? 2. What technology services do the students and teachers benefit from on a real day to day basis??By Megan Gildow
January 29, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
Commonsensegal- E-rate funds are a reimbursement to provide discounts to public schools and libraries. I’m not entirely sure what you mean by your first question. Are you asking if this is an operational expense, and therefore paid from the same funds that cover salaries, instructional materials, etc.? If so, the answer is a “yes, but.” Some of the costs that the E-Rate program covers are for operational costs but it also can cover equipment. Permanent improvement funds legally can be used to cover the cost of equipment that will last five years or longer, so it depend on what type of equipment the district is purchasing. The big thing that E-Rate covers that benefits teachers and students on a day-to-day basis is the actual internet or telephone service in the district and the necessary gear to make those connections but there’s a lot of possibilities. For more info, visit the E-Rate homepage: http://www.etech.ohio.gov/e-rate-technical-assistance-program/index.dot