Columbian principal resigns

Columbian High School’s principal resigned after allegedly engaging in an ongoing romantic relationship with a teacher under his direct supervision. Tiffin City Board of Education approved Mark Verroco’s resignation for retirement purposes, effective Dec. 31, during a meeting at Tiffin Middle School Tuesday evening. Superintendent Vicki Wheatley provided a statement after the meeting that said for multiple reasons, the board of education and administration don’t believe a school administrator’s ongoing romantic relationship with an employee under the administrator’s direct supervision is acceptable. “Apart from the obvious conflict of interest that precludes the administrator from objectively evaluating the job performance of the subordinate employee, such a relationship inherently involves legal risks to the District,” the release stated. “Mr. Verroco’s resignation makes it unnecessary for the District to address this issue in another way.” Wheatley said the relationship involved a teacher she declined to identify. She said she first was alerted to the situation in February. She said Verroco brought it to her attention and stated he had strong feelings for a teacher. “(When he self-reported the situation,) we involved our legal counsel, and legal counsel directed the board from that point forward,” she said. Wheatley said she did not know the extent of the relationship, but said to her knowledge, no inappropriate behavior took place in the school. “I’ve never seen them together,” she said. Wheatley said Verroco was given four letters that discouraged the behavior. She said she believed options were presented to Verroco, and resignation for the purpose of retirement was the option he selected. Verroco was hired by Tiffin City Board of Education in April 2012, and his contract was approved for Aug. 1, 2012-July 31, 2015. He was serving as Whitmer High School’s principal when he was hired in Tiffin. Prior to the vote in 2012, Verroco expressed his appreciation and said he was blessed to be hired. “I can’t wait to get started,” he said at that time. A message left on Verroco’s cell phone seeking comment was not returned Tuesday night. Larry Kisabeth, who previously served as Columbian’s principal, was hired as the interim high school principal, effective Dec. 22-June 30. Wheatley said she believed Kisabeth is to be paid $375 per day. In other business, the board: Heard about Noble K-Kids’ efforts. Saw Angie Ellis, teacher at Washington K-1, be honored by the American Heart Association for a Hoops for Heart performance. The board learned it was the district’s third year in a row of achieving “Fit Friendly” status. Heard committee reports. Heard about the high school curriculum guide. Heard about the Part B grant. Heard about proposed revised Charting The Course for Continuous Improvement Plans. Heard the first reading of the revised ticket manager job description. Heard people express opinions about proposed changes within the high school English department and about bringing back K-5 neighborhood schools. Accepted the resignations for retirement purposes of Karen Granata, Darlene Laubender and Donald Burner and the resignations of Hope Boes and Cindy Lucius. Approved professional staff. Reassigned bus routes. Approved stipends. Accepted donations. Approved a supplemental appropriation. Approved a board policy about student organizations. Approved a memorandum of understanding with Seneca County Health Alliance. Approved an amendment to the contract with Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties. Accepted bus purchase bids and approved the lowest responsible bus purchase bids from Cardinal Bus Sales & Service Inc. for $76,745 and $76,245. The district is trading in bus no. 15 and bus No. 24. Approved an amendment to the flexible benefit plan. The next meeting is 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the cafetorium.