SALEM SCHOOLS Lawyer: No comment about records

The school board is considering using a consultant to help it select a new treasurer.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron is refusing to comment on his office's intent in removing purchasing documents from the Salem School District.
Herron said Monday that it would be inappropriate for him to discuss the records removal, which occurred earlier this month, just days before school treasurer Ted Cougras resigned.
Herron also declined to comment on whether the seizure is part of an ongoing investigation.
Purchase order records were taken from the district's administration offices Dec. 13 by prosecutor's office representatives.
School officials have refused to explain why Cougras, 36, of Poland, resigned in the days after the records seizure. He had worked for the district since 1997.
Cougras has been unavailable to comment.
Temporary treasurer
The school board met in special session Sunday to appoint schools Superintendent Dr. David Brobeck as temporary treasurer until an interim one can be appointed.
The school board also discussed replacing Cougras permanently.
District officials hope to have an interim treasurer hired by Dec. 30, Brobeck said.
No time frame has been established for how soon that will happen, Brobeck said.
The school board is considering a replacement strategy that would entail gathering applications from people interested in the job and narrowing that list to several likely prospects, Brobeck explained.
The panel then may hire a consultant to help it choose a treasurer from among the finalists, Brobeck explained.
A consultant trained in recruiting school administrators would help the district pick the most suitable person for the job, Brobeck said.
He estimated that the consultant's aid would cost about $1,000.
Cougras' departure is having an impact on the district's aim to establish a new bus garage.
Brobeck said the effort is being shelved for now to allow the school board to concentrate its efforts in getting a new treasurer hired.
For months, the school board has been pondering where it will put a new garage for its 17-bus fleet, but no location has been selected.
School officials have said the district could save money by having its own bus garage. The fleet is now housed and maintained at a private facility on Prospect Street.