Parents tell Hamilton school board they want superintendent returned

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Some school parents urged the Hamilton Board of Education on Tuesday night to quickly return Superintendent Tony Orr from an ordered administrative leave.

Orr was ordered by the Hamilton Board of Education last week to go on paid, administrative leave with the board citing both alleged violation of board policies and "allegations of misconduct" in public and internal communications obtained by this news outlet.

The superintendent who has led the 10,000-student city schools since 2015 was ordered to stay off school property until an "independent investigation" is completed.

Orr responded with his own statement that he had no idea what the allegations are but he was confident he would be "exonerated at the conclusion of this investigation. I look forward to continuing the great things we are doing for children in Hamilton for many years to come."

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MORE: Hamilton school leader says he doesn't know why he was placed on leave 

And that's what a half dozen school parents and residents told the school board they wanted to see happen.

"I am proud of the work that Mr. Orr has done for the city of Hamilton and I look forward to seeing what else he is able to accomplish once he is able to return to work," Lisa Roberts told the board.

School parent Randy Romer asked the board directly "why can't we know why he (Orr) is being penalized?"

MORE: 5 things to know about Tony Orr 

"Why are we dragging our feet on this issue? You are effecting my children's education. Since Mr. Orr has been in his position, I've seen better grades for my kids and I've seen more excitement in my kids wanting to go to school," said Romer.

"Why are we playing politics and ultimately hurting our kids and their education?" he said.

President Steve Isgro read from a statement handed out to the more than 30 people attending the board meeting and said the board would not comment further on this "personnel matter" while the investigation is proceeding.

The statement signed by Isgro - differs slightly from previous statements in that it appeared to allude only to a possible violation of board policy.

MORE: Records reveal communications between Hamilton school board and superintendent 

"We take our (board) policies very seriously," wrote Isgro. "We will always follow up on allegations quickly and thoroughly while also knowing that allegations are not equivalent to guilt."

Previously, Isgro had stated the allegations do not involve students.

Neither Isgro, nor other board members, commented in response to speakers who supported Orr.

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