Ex-Ohio State band director says trustees decided on firing

COLUMBUS (AP) — Fired Ohio State marching band director Jonathan Waters is alleging the university’s board was directly involved in his dismissal and is asking that his legal review be broadened to include other employment actions by the trustees.

In a court filing today, Waters cites as evidence a handwritten letter to his parents by School of Music Director Rick Blatti. In the Sept. 27 letter to John and Peggie Waters, Blatti cites the board’s role in the firing and says it happened without his knowledge or input.

Waters was fired in July for ignoring and mishandling a “sexualized culture” within the band. Judge James Graham last week gave Waters four months to prove the gender discrimination claim in a federal civil-rights lawsuit.

Waters’ attorneys seek a two-month extension to gather board-related information.