NEW CASTLE —
The New Castle Area School Board has censured Mark Kirkwood for three weeks because of a state Ethics Commission finding.
As a result, Kirkwood will not be allowed to serve on any board committees until its reorganizational meeting. He has been a board member since his election in 2003.
The approval of the sanction came on a 9-0 vote, with Kirkwood, himself, voting for it.
The board has scheduled its reorganization meeting for 6 p.m. Dec. 5.
Kirkwood was taken to task in a recent state Ethics Commission report that says he used his school board seat to obtain college credits for his son, Matt, at reduced costs, enabling him to obtain an athletic scholarship.
Board member Stacey Fleo brought up the ethics report Wedneday night and recommended the censuring, saying, “It’s with regret at this time ... I think we need to acknowledge the recent finding of the state Ethics Commission.”
She suggested that Kirkwood be censured until the reorganizational meeting.
“Censuring is the acknowledgment of an incident,” she said.
The board was quiet for about half a minute after she made a motion, then member Barb Razzano gave a second to the motion.
A dictionary definition of censure is to “express severe disapproval of someone or something, typically in a formal statement.”
The Ethics Commission findings show that Kirkwood’s son, Matt, a college student, was the only student attending summer school in the district in 2010 through its Seton Hill University College in High School program.
The program was arranged for his son, a high school graduate, through a program that the board had approved only for high school juniors and seniors.
Terry Meehan, assistant to the superintendent, set the program up through Seton Hill University’s College in High School program, saying he intended it to be a pilot for future graduates needing summer credits.
The program had not been approved by the board for a college student to earn credits at a reduced cost. Nor had the board approved the summer school program.
The Ethics Commission determined that “a transgression” of the state Public Officials and Employee Ethics Act occurred when the district’s program was used to assist Kirkwood’s son in getting college credits to obtain an athletic scholarship that would minimize the financial burden of his college education.
Kirkwood has reimbursed Seton Hill $4,495 in full for the cost of the tuition of the two courses his son took, and he repaid the school district $674 in full for the two district teachers who taught the courses.
The Ethics Commission also ordered him to pay the state agency $1,000 to cover the investigation costs.
District Superintendent George Gabriel said earlier this week that he was unaware of the entire matter until he was questioned about it by the Ethics Commission.
He said that now that the report has been released, he does not know whether there will be sanctions against any district personnel for conducting the program without his or board knowledge, but that would be a personnel matter.
Immediately after the censuring vote, board member Mary Ann Tofel called for an executive session, citing “personnel” as the reason.
(Email: dwachter@ncnewsonline.com)
Schools
Related Photos
Discussion
New Castle Schools: Kirkwood censured for Ethics violation
- Schools
-
-
Mohawk OKs tax abatement for racetrack
The Mohawk school board approved a five-year tax abatement for Endeka Entertainment. The abatement covers about 200 acres in Mahoning Township that is the site of the proposed harness racetrack and casino.
-
No tax increase expected at Mohawk
No tax increase is anticipated for the Mohawk school district. The board introduced a $21,714,781 budget for the 2013-14 school year that is 5 percent more than the current budget of $20,703,767.
-
Video: Remembering teacher Beth Pears
Shenango High students, teachers and adminstrators pay tribute to Beth Pears, who died on May 19 after a battle with cancer. The English teacher was a beloved figure in the classrooms of Shenango, and Courtney Crown shares her story through a series of video interviews.
-
Vo-tech budget loses support
Now there are only two. That is the number of school districts that have approved the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center budget for the 2013-14 year after Union board’s withdrew support this week.
-
Vo-tech school administrator named
Dr. C. Joyce Nicksick will be the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center’s chief school administrator for the 2013-14 year.
-
Primary 2013: Former superintendent earns New Castle board nomination
Voters nominated four candidates for four-year terms in each of Lawrence County’s eight school districts yesterday. New Castle and Ellwood City had candidates running on one ballot only, but all others crossfiled, meaning they appeared on both Republican and Democratic ballots.
-
Photo Gallery: Check out our images from the Shenango High prom!
The pomp. The pageantry. The pairs. The pictures. Yes, it’s prom season once again in Lawrence County and the New Castle News is on hand to document all the fun and excitement. We hope you enjoy our photo galleries! Today, Shenango High.
-
Your Tax Money: Four districts undecided on vo-tech budget
Four school districts are still deciding whether to support the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center’s 2013-14 budget. The New Castle, Wilmington, Mohawk and Ellwood City school boards are waiting until June to vote on the proposed spending plan as they contemplate a growing debt the center owes to six of its eight member school districts.
-
Our Opinion: State audit says city school district failed to collect from non-residents
Audit information about non-resident students who didn’t pay tuition at New Castle raises more questions than it answers. At least so far. We expect more details when the Pennsylvania auditor general’s office completes its report and the New Castle school district provides its response.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Laurel senior county’s new dairy princess
The two candidates cross their fingers and the crowd goes silent, awaiting the verdict. And the 2013-2014 Lawrence County Dairy Princess is — Rhonda Mitcheltree!
- More Schools Headlines
-
Mohawk OKs tax abatement for racetrack
