3 on Brookfield board seek dismissal of suit

The trial in the suit against three school board members could begin Friday.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — Three members of the Brookfield Local Board of Education have asked the court to dismiss an effort by a citizens group to oust them from office.

Board members Joseph Pasquerilla, Dean Fisher and Steven Varga filed the motion to dismiss with Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

The lawsuit seeking their dismissals was filed Aug. 13 by Brookfield SOS Committee Inc., a group of citizens living in the school district.

Before a status hearing on the complaint Friday, the board members filed their motion.

Pasquerilla, Fisher and Varga argued in their motion that the allegations against them are not specific.

The board members assert the allegations must be based on facts, not on conclusions and that the issue should be settled at the ballot box rather than in court.

Judge McKay scheduled a hearing on the motion for 10 a.m. Thursday. If he doesn’t grant the motion, trial will begin at 9 a.m. Friday and will be held intermittently during the following week and a half.

Under state law in these cases, trial must begin within 30 days of the original complaint’s being filed.

Here are allegations

In that complaint, SOS charged that beginning January 2002, the board has not agreed on a contract with its teachers, the superintendent took a job in another district and a band director resigned.

Also, the three board members in question voted to hire Frank Baker as transportation supervisor even though he was fired by the Warren city school after he was accused of stealing scrap metal from that district. He faces a charge of theft.

SOS alleges that the three have flagrantly exercised authority or power not authorized by law, neglected to enforce the law and are guilty of gross neglect of duty, misfeasance and malfeasance.

Also, the group alleged the three make decisions without the knowledge of the other two board members, hold executive sessions in the men’s restroom so Ronda Bonekovic, a female board member, can’t participate, failed to bargain in good faith with the teachers union and have established rules to prevent public discussion during meetings.

In addition, SOS alleges the three illegally hired unqualified infirmary personnel and ignore the protocol for entering and existing school buildings.

yovich@vindy.com