He submitted his resignation in writing to the board Tuesday night, superintendent James Schoenlein said.
Trent did not attend the board’s meeting that night. His resignation was effective Sept. 25.
Trent was not available for comment.
Because his four-year term was scheduled to run through 2015, the board will now deliberate on choosing his successor.
According to Kettering Schools treasurer Steve Clark, “the board has 30 days by law to fill the seat by a majority vote of remaining members, but it cannot fill the seat in the first 10 days. If the remaining members can’t reach a majority decision, a judge in the Court of Common Pleas will fill the position.”
Earlier Tuesday, on his behalf, Trent’s attorney Dave Williamson submitted a not guilty plea to the two misdemeanor charges which were filed by a Kettering woman. She told police Trent held her in an embrace, tried to kiss her and grabbed her buttocks.
His pre-trial hearing has not been scheduled.
The board plans to announce Trent’s decision today in a letter to staff, students and the community that reads, in part: “We are saddened by Mr. Trent’s recent difficulties and we appreciate his years of service to the district.”
Trent is known and has been respected throughout the community due to more than 30 years of service to Kettering Schools as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent and board member. He was on the school board for 18 years, 14 as president.
During his last campaign in 2012, he said the purpose of education “is to help children learn and become successful citizens. The diverse student population in the Kettering Schools is something we look at with pride.”
Opened in 2005 and quickly a community landmark, Fairmont High School’s $8.8 million, 4,300-seat James S. Trent Arena bears his name. He was the 2004 grand marshal of Kettering’s Holiday at Home festival.
A Navy veteran who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Marshall University, Trent has also been an administrator and adjunct instructor at Wright State University. He has done strategic planning as a consultant for more than 100 school systems in six states. The 44-year Kettering resident is married and is a father and grandfather.
His resignation comes as the school board focuses on convincing voters to approve a 4.89-mill levy on the Nov. 5 ballot. The board will retain its other four members even after the election.
President George Bayless, Jim Ambrose and Julie Gilmore are running unopposed for new four-year terms. The term of board member Lori Simms runs through 2015.
Trent is the third prominent area government or school leader to face morals charges in recent weeks. Clayton City Council member Robert E. Peters was charged with disorderly conduct based on complaints by a female Northmont City Schools employee on Aug. 30. A charge of possessing child pornography is pending against James Uphoff, a former Oakwood school board member and Ohio Education Association president.
About the Author