Clark is paid $12.43 per hour, according to the personnel department. Her termination is effective Friday to comply with state rules that require that an employee be notified in writing before the termination date.
Greene County commissioners approved Clark’s firing Tuesday.
Clark’s suspension stems from an incident at the group home on Jan. 31. A juvenile who was living there alleged Clark yelled at him, called him names, pulled on his coat and bumped his body when he did not comply with group home rules.
“The children are the most important thing for us,” said Ken Johnson, the Greene County personnel director. “The group home is a facility that needs our nurture and attention.”
Johnson said an investigation determined Clark did not follow the predetermined policies and procedures for disciplining youth at the home which uses sanctions to remedy situations where juveniles break the rules.
Clark denied all allegations during the county’s internal investigation and the pre-disciplinary conference, according to Johnson.
Clark has been working in the county group home unit, which is overseen by the Greene County Children Services Department, since 1994.
She is one of seven youth care specialists in the county group home unit which also employs six relief youth care specialists, a youth care supervisor and a group home supervisor.
Clark has had previous disciplinary actions filed against her. However, they were not considered a factor in her termination, according to Johnson. State law prohibits the county from considering any disciplinary actions that did not occur within the last two years.
“This was something that was good for the functioning of the group home,” Johnson said.
About the Author