Contracts need to be settled before the principal's post can be filled.

Contracts need to be settled before the principal's post can be filled.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Officials will need to crunch the numbers in the coming weeks to determine how best to fill a vacant administrative position.
"First we need to conclude negotiations," explained Marsha Harrison of the Ohio Department of Education, referring to ongoing contract talks between the Lordstown Teachers Association and the board of education.
"But the commission, in conjunction with the administration and representatives from the school board, have already discussed several 'what-if' scenarios for the reinstatement of an elementary school principal," she continued.
Several parents attended Tuesday's meeting of the state commission overseeing school district finances, presenting petitions asking that the position, which has been vacant for more than two years, be filled.
Superintendent Ray Getz, who is retiring in December, has stepped in to fill the void, but has said he has no plans to stay on after the end of the year.
More than 95 people signed the petition, which cites safety and discipline as their major concerns about filling the post.
Several parents also attended last month's meeting to make the same plea.
Contracts
Harrison said the commission, which oversees all financial matters for the schools since the district was put into fiscal emergency by the state auditor, said once contracts are resolved with the teachers, the commission and the school board will have a better idea of what money is available to them.
"We certainly don't want to jump into something and then find out we don't have the funds for it," said Walter Craigo, a commission member.
Getz said contract negotiations have been "disappointingly slow" so far, citing scheduling conflicts in the summer months as a major delay.
The sides are scheduled to meet Thursday.
"We are down to the last few financial issues, which are critical," he said.
The school board also plans to start negotiating with the union representing classified employees later this month, he said.
slshaulis@vindy.com