SALEM Former educator avoids prison

No motive for the theft while serving the Salem school district was offered.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- An apologetic former educator avoided a prison term for theft in office and was sentenced to community corrections and house arrest instead.
Before being sentenced Wednesday by Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, Charles McShane, 53, apologized to his family, friends and the Lisbon and Salem school districts.
Until pleading guilty in August to the fifth-degree felony, McShane was Lisbon schools superintendent. Before that he was Salem High School principal.
"I want to take full responsibility for the actions I took," said McShane of Kennedy Drive, Salem. "I'm sorry. I can't tell you how humiliated I've been. I wish I could do things over again."
McShane offered no motive for the crime, and authorities have said they don't know why he did it.
The crime bears a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
As part of a plea bargain, the county prosecutor's office recommended a six-month prison term for McShane's theft from the Salem school district.
Judge Tobin handed down a sentence that combines several punishments.
McShane is to report Nov. 5 to the Northeast Ohio Alternative Program in Warren, where he will serve six months in a setting aimed at rehabilitating offenders. Afterward, he will be under house arrest for six months.
McShane also is instructed to perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine.
He will be on probation for four years. As a felon, he will be forever barred from serving in public office or as an educator.
Community input
Several people spoke on behalf of McShane, including Lou Ramunno, West Branch Schools superintendent and a longtime friend.
Ramunno said McShane has contributed much to the community and shouldn't be punished with prison time.
"He screwed up. He made a mistake," said the Rev. Jack Austin, senior pastor of the First Christian Church in Salem and a friend of McShane's.
The Rev. Mr. Austin added that McShane is heartbroken over the crime.
Assistant County Prosecutor John Gamble argued, however, that McShane was a public official who used his position to help commit his crime.
In fall 2000, while he was Salem High School principal, McShane cashed a $1,701 check made out to the high school and put the money in his personal account.
The stolen money was a payment to the school from a company that had done work associated with school photos.
In February and early March of this year, McShane pocketed about $2,475 in proceeds from a boys basketball tournament at Salem High School. McShane was ticket manager for the event.
After pleading guilty in August, McShane resigned from his job as Lisbon schools superintendent, which he had taken after leaving Salem schools. He has since repaid the stolen money.