GIRARD SCHOOLS Suit to remove board gets Nov. 5 trial date

The judge ruled that an out-of-state attorney can continue representing the parents.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Nov. 5 trial date is set for a lawsuit that seeks to remove the five Girard Board of Education members.
Visiting Judge Mitchell Shaker set the trial date Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Several parents filed the action last month, asking a judge to remove the school board members because they didn't inform parents about reported health problems at the intermediate school. Attached to the complaint was a petition signed by more than 2,000 voters.
Atty. Sebastian Rucci, who represents the parents, said he is eager to go to trial.
Sought dismissal: Atty. Lou Damiani, who represents the board, had asked the court to have the case dismissed, but Judge Shaker denied the motion.
"The court makes note that a sufficiently large number of electors (in excess of the minimum required) in the Girard City School District signed the recall petition twice," Judge Shaker noted in the ruling. "It would certainly be in the best interest of all concerned to have this case fully heard and decided on the merits."
The parents had filed a similar suit in July, but it was dismissed due to procedural errors. The parents refiled in September.
The judge also denied a request by defense attorneys to prohibit Rucci from representing the parents. Rucci is not licensed as an attorney in Ohio. Rucci is licensed in California. Rucci, who has recently moved to Ohio, says he plans to take the state bar exam later this year.
The judge said Rucci "satisfies the main factors for representation in this matter."
Parents unhappy: The parents have said they are unhappy with the way the board handled the problems at the school and believe the members should be removed from office.
The intermediate school was closed May 1 because pupils were becoming ill. It remains closed while work is done to correct the problems.