Builder joins board for Howland schools

The school board and its attorneys have considered state ethics law if a former member is hired.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

HOWLAND — Local builder Paul Dieter has been named to the board of education, replacing Andrew Bednar, who resigned in December.

Dieter was selected Monday by the board to fill the unexpired term of Bednar until Dec. 31, 2009. Superintendent John Sheets said Dieter was selected out of nine candidates, all of whom were interviewed.

Sheets said Dieter, a 1998 graduate of Champion High School, owns PMD Builders and has two children attending Howland schools.

The board can benefit from Dieter’s perspective as a parent and business owner.

Bednar resigned effective Dec. 18 to allow his architectural firm, Baker, Bednar and Associates, to be considered to provide professional design services for the school district.

The district has been working for some time toward placing an issue before voters to construct a new high school, and for additions on two others.

On Nov. 26, the board approved a motion to publicly advertise for professional design services tied to the development of a comprehensive plan to upgrading its facilities.

Bednar abstained from voting on the measure, followed by his resignation.

Sheets said he has discussed with board members and the district’s legal council the ethical question if Bednar was to receive a contract for the design work.

The board has received 11 statements of qualifications for architects, including Baker, Bednar.

Sheets said that the district’s attorney has informed him that Bednar can work for the district if selected but can’t be compensated for a year.

The Ohio Ethics Commission “... prohibits a member of a school board of education, for a period of one year after leaving office, from accepting employment with the board where such employment was authorized by the board while he was a member ....”

“We don’t want to do anything wrong,” the superintendent said.

Of the 11 statements of qualifications received, Sheets said, four or five will be interviewed by the board in the next two weeks.

yovich@vindy.com