ASHLAND — A room full of local residents was silent as Steve Paramore spoke Monday night.
Paramore, superintendent of Ashland City Schools, read a statement during the regularly scheduled board of education meeting regarding recent misconduct allegations involving two employees of Edison Elementary School.
“Our foremost priority remains the safety, dignity and emotional well-being of every student entrusted to our care,” the superintendent said. “We recognize that not only substantiated misconduct, but even the presence of allegations, can have a profound impact on students and families.
“Any student who may have been harmed directly or indirectly is at the center of our response. We are committed to ensuring access to appropriate supports, including counseling and other resources, to address any emotional or psychological effects stemming from these circumstances,” Paramore said.
Time for public comments regarding agenda or non-agenda items was opened near the conclusion of the meeting. No comments were brought before the board from those in attendance Monday.
The superintendent’s full statement can be read at the bottom of this story.
Former Edison employee charged with misdemeanor assault
Former Edison employee Brett Martin, 65, has been charged with misdemeanor assault after being terminated by the district on April 14.
The charge stems from “confirmed misconduct” which occurred at Edison Elementary School during the school day on April 14, according to the district. Martin was formerly employed as a noon-duty paraprofessional/bus driver.
According to an Ashland police report, Martin “appeared to break up an argument” while performing his lunch duties. During the argument, the 65-year-old allegedly “slapped” an 8-year-old second grade student on the left side of their face, according to the report.
Martin was fired the same day allegations were made against him “based off of evidence that (Ashland police) had and video evidence that I had,” Paramore told Ashland Source on April 21.
According to Ashland County Municipal Court records, his arraignment and pre-trial hearing have been scheduled for May 5 at 1:15 p.m.
Second former Edison employee resigned after ‘allegations of misconduct’
A second, unnamed former Edison Elementary School employee was placed on paid administrative leave two days after Martin’s firing on April 16 following “allegations of misconduct,” according to the district.
“The complaint came in at 6:52 p.m. (on April 16) … by 8:15 p.m. I had already placed the phone call to place that person on paid administrative leave,” Paramore said previously.
The district accepted the resignation of this unnamed employee on April 19.
Further details surrounding these allegations have yet to be released and are still under active investigation. Ashland police said there are currently no charges filed.
This unnamed former employee also served as a noon-duty paraprofessional/bus driver, but the allegations brought against them are seperate from those against Martin, according to the district.
Below is a transcription of Paramore’s full statement read during Monday’s meeting:
“I address you this evening regarding deeply concerning allegations of inappropriate conduct involving two staff members within Ashland City Schools. While personnel matters limit the extent of detail that can be publicly disclosed, we want to affirm that the district takes all such allegations with the utmost seriousness and response in accordance with applicable laws, policies and procedural safeguards.
“Our foremost priority remains the safety, dignity and emotional well-being of every student entrusted to our care. We recognize that not only substantiated misconduct, but even the presence of allegations, can have a profound impact on students and families.
“Any student who may have been harmed directly or indirectly is at the center of our response. We are committed to ensuring access to appropriate supports, including counseling and other resources, to address any emotional or psychological effects stemming from these circumstances.
“We are also aware of inaccurate and, in some cases, harmful information circulating within the community and across social media platforms, including a widely shared article published on April 22. While we respect the role of free press and public discourse, misinformation can further harm those effected and undermine the integrity of ongoing processes. We urge our community to exercise care in the information they share and to rely on verified communications issued through official district channels.
“Ashland City Schools is steadfast in its obligation to investigate allegations of misconduct promptly and thoroughly upon becoming aware of them. When concerns are raised we act in accordance with established protocols designed to ensure fairness, accountability and compliance with all legal and ethical standards.
“Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of those investigations. We are grateful to those members of our community who have continued to place their trust in our district during this challenging time. We do not take the trust for granted.
“For any students or families who may have been effected, whether by allegations or confirmed conduct, we remain committed to providing care, support and a path forward. Ashland City Schools has long been committed to fostering a circle of safety for all students.
“While these recent events are deeply troubling, they have also reinforced our resolve to strengthen the commitment. We will continue to evaluate and improve our practices to ensure that our schools remain safe, supportive environments for every student.
“All district parents are encouraged to refer to the Safer Ohio reporting system located on our district’s website if they have any reportable offenses in the future. We appreciate the patience, grace and understanding extended to us as we navigate these matters responsibly and work to build any trust that may have been impacted.
“Our focus remains clear, to serve, protect and support the students and families of this community with integrity and care. Thank you.”
