One member resigns from Board of DD; status of other members pending
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities is potentially facing three open seats on the board. At least one board member has given his official resignation.
The board met in a special session Thursday to officially accept a referee's opinion regarding the board's action to terminate the employment contract of former board superintendent Chuck Biggert.
During the meeting, the board entered into executive session to discuss a personnel matter and "candidates for board membership."
While no action was taken following the session, responding the questions from the Highland County Press, board president Linda Allen and interim superintendent Fred Williams said that board member John Fittro has submitted his resignation. Board member Megan Filson has also informed the board that she may be submitting her resignation because work obligations prevent her from coming to some meetings. Williams noted the Filson has not officially submitted her resignation.
Filson and Fittro were not in attendance during the special meeting.
Four board members were in attendance: Allen, Sam Snyder, Debbie Tissot and Karen Adams.
Board member Gary Buchanan was not in attendance.
When asked if the board had a policy regarding member attendance, Williams said that board members are not permitted to have more than three unexcused absences per year. When asked how many meetings Buchanan has missed, Williams said, "More than three."
The board secretary told Allen that she had made attempts to contact Buchanan by phone and by email to inform him about the special meeting, but he did not respond.
The seven members of the Highland County Board of DD are appointed by the Highland County Board of Commissioners and by Highland County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Kevin Greer. The last appointment to the board was made by Greer in June, when Adams was appointed.
During the meeting it was noted into the record that the board had selected Monica Bohlen to be the referee for the hearing on Biggert's termination.
Bohlen was appointed to oversee the two-day hearing, held Dec. 8-9 in the basement of the Highland County Administration Building. Biggert requested the hearing following the board's termination of his contract in October. He was represented by attorney Samuel Lillard. The board was represented by attorney Jim Hughes. According to Bohlen's report, which was issued Friday, Dec. 16, "Based on ... the findings of fact and conclusions of law, the board was warranted in terminating superintendent Biggert." She also wrote that, "In 2011, Mr. Biggert's conduct deteriorated," and that his explanation of the events were "not credible."
The board voted 4-0 to accept the Bohlen's report.
Now that the board has officially accepted the referee's decision, Biggert has 30 days to appeal the matter to the Highland County Court of Common Pleas, or else her ruling will stand.
The Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities is potentially facing three open seats on the board. At least one board member has given his official resignation.
The board met in a special session Thursday to officially accept a referee's opinion regarding the board's action to terminate the employment contract of former board superintendent Chuck Biggert.
During the meeting, the board entered into executive session to discuss a personnel matter and "candidates for board membership."
While no action was taken following the session, responding the questions from the Highland County Press, board president Linda Allen and interim superintendent Fred Williams said that board member John Fittro has submitted his resignation. Board member Megan Filson has also informed the board that she may be submitting her resignation because work obligations prevent her from coming to some meetings. Williams noted the Filson has not officially submitted her resignation.
Filson and Fittro were not in attendance during the special meeting.
Four board members were in attendance: Allen, Sam Snyder, Debbie Tissot and Karen Adams.
Board member Gary Buchanan was not in attendance.
When asked if the board had a policy regarding member attendance, Williams said that board members are not permitted to have more than three unexcused absences per year. When asked how many meetings Buchanan has missed, Williams said, "More than three."
The board secretary told Allen that she had made attempts to contact Buchanan by phone and by email to inform him about the special meeting, but he did not respond.
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The seven members of the Highland County Board of DD are appointed by the Highland County Board of Commissioners and by Highland County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Kevin Greer. The last appointment to the board was made by Greer in June, when Adams was appointed.
During the meeting it was noted into the record that the board had selected Monica Bohlen to be the referee for the hearing on Biggert's termination.
Bohlen was appointed to oversee the two-day hearing, held Dec. 8-9 in the basement of the Highland County Administration Building. Biggert requested the hearing following the board's termination of his contract in October. He was represented by attorney Samuel Lillard. The board was represented by attorney Jim Hughes. According to Bohlen's report, which was issued Friday, Dec. 16, "Based on ... the findings of fact and conclusions of law, the board was warranted in terminating superintendent Biggert." She also wrote that, "In 2011, Mr. Biggert's conduct deteriorated," and that his explanation of the events were "not credible."
The board voted 4-0 to accept the Bohlen's report.
Now that the board has officially accepted the referee's decision, Biggert has 30 days to appeal the matter to the Highland County Court of Common Pleas or else her ruling will stand.
• The Highland County Board of DD will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m.
• The Highland County Board of DD will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m.