Head custodian questions decision

November 23, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

BOARDMAN

Mark MacLochlan, head custodian at Boardman Center Middle School, wants to know why he was denied a promotion that went to his stepbrother.

“I’m here tonight,” he told board of education members at a meeting Monday, “because I’m being passed over for a promotion that I’ve worked very hard to attain, as is evident with my evaluations and my letters of recommendation. I believe that my years of service and my performance are being overlooked for some reason.”

MacLochlan has been employed by Boardman schools for 30 years, serving in his current position for 21 of those years.

James Massey, director of operations, said Matt McKenzie was recommended to fill the position of supervisor of buildings and grounds because he had the skills the district was looking for.

“It was a team decision,” Massey said. “And we felt Matt was the best fit for the job.”

The board of education went into executive session to discuss the matter and ultimately voted to approve the recommendation to hire McKenzie.

“The three individuals that were most involved with the interviewing process still felt like Matt was the best recommendation based on his experience and education level,” Mark Fulks, board president, said after the meeting. “That was their recommendation, and the board is very hesitant to override that because we don’t really get involved in the interview process at all. But we did want to make sure that all the pertinent items had been covered and discussed, and after they reiterated their decision we were willing to stay with that.”

Also at the meeting, board of education members and Frank Lazzeri, superintendent, recognized the staff and parents of Robinwood Lane Elementary School for earning an excellent with distinction report card for the third year in a row.

“When I visit this building there’s always something extra going on,” said Kim Poma, board member. She noted that’s not always easy to do while still meeting the standards set by the state.

“You guys have managed to do it all,” she said.