Lucrative schools contract raises questions

November 14, 2015 at 5:38p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The city school board approved a $6,500-per-month contract with a minister/counselor without knowing either the number of hours he would work or his educational background.

And despite oversight from a state commission and years of shaky finances, district officials from the superintendent to board members have been reluctant to discuss how R. Douglas King got the job or what he exactly does for a position that will pay him about $58,000 this school year.

Stephen Stohla, interim superintendent, said King was contracted at the suggestion of the school board.

King works through his company, UR Fertile Ground, which is based in New Jersey and is described on its website as a “platform for several motivational enterprises including workshops, music, apparel and accessories for youths and adults.”