Springboro Community City Schools will hold back $22,000 from Schroer until completion of the special audit. That money would be used to reimburse the district for any findings for recovery of misspent funds, and any remainder then paid to Schroer.
“These allegations do not involve students and are not related in any way to other threatened litigation concerning the district, including the charges against John Austin Hopkins,” the statement continues.
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Hopkins is facing 36 counts of gross sexual imposition involving 28 first-grade girls in his gym classes last year. Schroer recommended Hopkins for the job.
According to Friday’s board statement, the financial allegations “have since been independently investigated and reported by Springboro Schools’ Board of Education to the district’s auditors, as well as the Ohio Department of Education.”
District officials refused to disclose details of the financial allegations.
“The actions taken during this special Board of Education meeting were done in the interest of both parties in order to avoid the cost of litigation,” the statement said. “While this situation is not ideal and the timing is unfortunate, Springboro Schools believes it has taken action that is appropriate to protect the financial interests of the district and its community members, while also serving in the best long-term interests of our students and staff.”
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Schroer was scheduled to make $154,000 this school year. The separation agreement requires the district to pay his health care coverage costs through July 2020.
In a letter dated Aug. 29, provided along with the separation agreement, Schroer wrote, ”Please be advised that I irrevocably resign my position with Springboro Community City School District for personal reasons effective at the close of business on August 30, 2019.”
Board member Charles Anderson was absent from Friday’s meeting.
Board members voted on the “release and separation agreement” at the meeting, but officials did not release the terms until two hours after — following multiple public records requests from the Dayton Daily News.
The Dayton Daily News has requested numerous records from the district since Schroer was placed on leave, but the district has denied some of those requests.
Schroer was placed on paid leave Aug. 16 in an unanimous vote after the board met for almost two hours behind closed doors.
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Carrie Hester, previously the assistant superintendent for operations, will continue to serve as the district’s superintendent. The board named Hester acting superintendent immediately after putting Schroer on leave.
“The Board of Education will conduct a search to hire a superintendent during the latter part of this school year. The district looks forward to having its staff and teachers continue their focus on providing Springboro students with an excellent education,” the statement said.
Schroer, previously superintendent in the Margaretta school district near Sandusky, was also a candidate for the superintendent position with Dayton Public Schools in June 2016. He signed his first contract with the Springboro district in July 2016.
In December, the Springboro board gave him — and Floyd — a 4.8 percent raise and a $10,000 annuity.
Board Member Lisa Babb was the lone vote against the changes and Schroer’s new three-year contract in July.
To end the contract sooner, except due to “retirement, disability, resignation or death,” Schroer and the board could reach “mutual agreement,” according to the contract.
The contract also contained terms for removal for breach or “upon material failure of the superintendent to perform duties” of the contract or for reasons in state law.
The contract also entitled the board to end it by paying Schroer one year’s salary, “at any time without showing cause.”
There was no further comment Friday by the board.
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