SALEM SCHOOLS Superintendent says inaction in probe causes concerns for levy

By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- A criminal investigation still hangs over the city school district, jeopardizing a 7.85-mill, five-year emergency levy on Tuesday's ballot, Superintendent Dr. David Brobeck said.
At issue is a probe into the district's treasurer's office that began in December 2002.
Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron said that the most recent grand jury, which met this week, will not return any indictments as a result of the probe.
Any charges in the matter will have to be considered by a future panel.
Triggering the investigation was the district's discovery that former treasurer Ted Cougras bought $781 of office equipment in March 2002 using school funds. The items, an office chair and mats, were delivered to Cougras' Poland home.
Cougras resigned in December 2002 without offering any public explanation.
"One of the issues about our levy is that the treasurer's issue is unresolved," Brobeck said. "Our board is taking a beating about this."
The public is asking questions about the investigation. "We can't answer them" because of the confidentiality that must be maintained while authorities scrutinize the district, Brobeck said. He said the uncertainty is being used as a reason by some people to vote "no" on the levy.
District officials say they must have the $2.3 million annually that would be raised by the levy to prevent the district's finances from plummeting into red ink.
"We're working on it diligently and actively," Herron said of the probe.
It's taking so long, he explained, because as investigators dig, "our inquiries always produce other leads we need to follow."
leigh@vindy.com