SALEM SCHOOLS Meter's running as investigation of treasurer's office crawls along

The prosecutor said he doesn't plan to charge the assistant treasurer.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Annette Howard says she loves her job as the city school district's assistant treasurer.
She just wishes that she would be allowed to do it.
For more than four months, Howard, 42, has been sitting at home on paid leave while a substitute has been paid to do her job.
Howard was idled by the district after treasurer Ted Cougras' sudden resignation in December and the launching of a criminal investigation into the treasurer's office by the Columbiana County prosecutor and the state auditor.
The school district won't fully explain what Howard supposedly did to warrant her being put on leave or why she remains on that status.
Howard maintains she did nothing wrong.
Meanwhile, the meter is running for school district taxpayers.
So far, since she's been off, Howard has been paid $12,472 in salary. The district also has maintained her health insurance at a total cost of $5,227, and her retirement, workers' compensation and Medicare payments, which so far amount to about $3,230.
Additionally, the district hired a part-time assistant treasurer in early January to fill in for Howard. Lois Allard has been paid $8,253 in wages. The district also has made $1,395 in retirement, Medicare and workers compensation payments for her. Allard does not receive district health insurance.
Pay and benefits payments for Howard and Allard now total about $30,577.
Howard, a 14-year school district employee, said she's wants to return to work and resume earning her pay.
"I love my job," she said.
Howard said she has asked at least twice to return, but she said Superintendent Dave Brobeck has refused, referring to the ongoing scrutiny of the treasurer's office.
Background
Investigators began their probe Dec. 13, after learning from district officials of the March 2002 purchase of $781 in office equipment -- a chair and mat -- that was delivered to Cougras' Poland home. He has not been charged, and the district has since hired another full-time treasurer.
Howard was put on paid leave Jan. 6, based on what Brobeck said at the time were allegations of misconduct. No further explanation was given then.
"There were things involving the operation of the treasurer's office that didn't make sense to me, and she is assistant treasurer," Brobeck said recently, refusing to elaborate.
Howard's being placed on paid leave "was my idea based on advice of counsel," Brobeck said, referring to the school district's law firm, Whalen & amp; Compton of Akron.
County Prosecutor Robert Herron said recently he has interviewed Howard in the treasurer's office probe and she has cooperated.
"At this point in time I have no reason to believe she will be charged with any criminal offense," Herron said.
Meanwhile, the treasurer's office investigation is continuing.
About six witnesses have been called to testify before a grand jury. An indictment is expected in "a couple of months," Herron said.
For Howard, the conclusion of the matter couldn't come soon enough.
"I wish it would be over," she said.