Group calls for Xenia superintendent’s removal

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XENIA — A group of more than 300 citizens said it is petitioning for the removal of Xenia Superintendent Deborah Piotrowski due to “lack of confidence and failure or refusal to perform her duties.”

“Voices for Xenia Community Schools” cited a lack of communication between school officials and parents, on issues from district finances to hearing concerns, as the primary reason for the petition.

The group is holding a signature campaign from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Greene County Fraternal Order of Police, 258 Dayton Ave., in Xenia.

The petition also calls for the nonrenewal of Xenia school board members’ contracts and the “staying of the proposed outsourcing of support staff.”

William Spahr, president of the Xenia school board, released a statement Wednesday for the board that said “we stand strongly” with Piotrowski “and the entire staff.”

Piotrowski could not be reached for comment. She reportedly will be out of the office until March 2.

Xenia High School Principal Ted Holop, who is listed as Piotrowski’s backup during an absence, and district Treasurer Bradley McKee did not return calls seeking comment.

The proposed outsourcing noted in the petition, which nearly led to a support staff strike Nov. 9, appears to have been the motivator for the group to take action.

“It’s gotten really bad within the last year,” Xenia parent Melissa Caserta said. “It was going downhill before that, but now it’s unbearable.”

Xenia High School graduate Matt Thomas, who founded the group, said the “intimidation” they saw by the superintendent and board during pre-strike meetings compounded the group’s overall communication concerns.

“We’ve had parents who’ve gone in front of the school board with issues about busing, open enrollment, (etc.), and we expect a response in a timely manner, but nothing has come out of it,” said Thomas, who does not have children in the district. “When an issue happens, it takes 24 to 48 hours for a response. By that time, rumors are rampant or (school officials) are coming out saying this didn’t happen.”

Reports of bedbugs, lack of heat and a fire at Xenia schools this school year were cited as examples.

Spahr’s statement noted that public meetings were held in the summer detailing the district’s financial situation and its impact.

As of last fall, the district reportedly had made more than $8.8 million in budget cuts and eliminated 72 positions in two years.

“During those meetings, possible cutbacks were also discussed to be sure the community was fully informed of the possibilities,” Spahr wrote.

But group members, who announced the petition drive Monday, said they want more transparency and accountability.

Caserta said the petition is intended to tell district officials how the community feels.

“The people listed on this piece of paper are on the same page — both figuratively and literally — and we mean business,” she said. “We’re not putting up with it anymore. We are taking back control of the future of our kids and the future of our schools.”