School board rescinds offer to hire supervisor

LEAVITTSBURG -- The LaBrae school board rescinded its offer to hire a new transportation supervisor Saturday amid an investigation over four pupils being taken to school in a cargo van.
The board unanimously approved the decision after Steve Bear sent them a letter saying that for personal reasons he was no longer interested in the position, board member Debbie Roth said. Bear, who is LaBrae's head mechanic, was supposed to begin his new position Jan. 1. Bear's salary would have been 45,000 per year.
Bear's decision comes as the Ohio Department of Education is investigating the district for a busing incident that happened Dec. 15.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Southington, four pupils were taken to John F. Kennedy High School and Summit Academy in Warren in a cargo van without secure seats.
The Ohio Department of Education is conducting an investigation to determine what action, if any, will be taken against the school district, Roth said.
The board is looking into several options, including hiring an outside firm to oversee the district's transportation, Roth said.
"I don't want to rush into anything," she said. "I want to look carefully at everything on the table."