Letter warns former official

Last summer, the former superintendent was a teacher in the district.
By TIM YOVICH
Vindicator Trumbull Staff
NILES -- Patrick Guliano, former superintendent of the city schools, has received a letter of admonishment for making derogatory comments about the district and its pupils.
The letter was issued to Guliano, who resigned the position in February 2004, by the Office of Professional Conduct of the Ohio Department of Education.
The letter, dated Nov. 22, 2005, wasn't made public by the state until Friday. It says if there is further conduct unbecoming to the teaching profession, the state may initiate disciplinary proceedings to revoke or suspend his teaching credentials.
Guliano could not be reached to comment. He did not return a message left at his home. It is uncertain if Guliano continues to work in the education field.
He has applied to the Trumbull County commissioners for a spot on the Trumbull County Senior Services Advisory Council. His r & eacute;sum & eacute; says he is retired and worked as a math teacher in Niles from 2004 to 2005.
Niles Superintendent Rocco Adduci said that Guliano hasn't worked for the district since last summer, when he was a teacher.
What's in letter
A spokesman for the state education board said Friday that Guliano's comments are not part of the public record; only the letter is.
According to the letter, Guliano made "inappropriate and derogatory comments about students and the school community" during a routine audit when he was superintendent. As a result, it says, Guliano "engaged in conduct unbecoming to the teaching profession," a violation of state law.
"Educators act as role models for students, and the state board and the department of education expect all educators to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner," wrote Atty. Lori M. Kelly, assistant director of the office of professional conduct.
Adduci said he received a copy of the letter in November, noting he doesn't know what Guliano said to cause the action.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's a dead issue," Adduci said.
John Davis, a former Niles school board member, said the public should be made aware of the admonishment letter. "He was being paid to do a duty. It should be openly noted what happened," he added.
Davis, who lost a re-election bid in the November 2005 general election, said that he and Guliano never got along and that Guliano worked against his re-election bid.
yovich@vindy.com