Bad News, Good People Caught Doing Bad Things.

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Jim O'Bryan
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Bad News, Good People Caught Doing Bad Things.

Postby Jim O'Bryan » Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:15 pm

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Statement from the District
Posted On: Wednesday, January 26, 2022

The Lakewood City School District is committed to holding our teachers, staff, and coaches to a high ethical standard and being good stewards of our citizens’ tax dollars.

A behavior specialist for the Franklin School of Opportunity has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation regarding allegations of significant financial irregularities.

The Lakewood City School District first became aware of irregularities in Lakewood Community Baseball Association (LCBA) funds in October of 2019. The Lakewood City Police Department was informed, and an investigation has been ongoing. The school district deferred the investigation to the police, who took the lead, as it was believed that the investigation concerned fundraising dollars that were not associated with the school district.

On Oct. 27, 2021, the Board of Education was informed that, as the governing authority of the LCBA, significant fiscal irregularities may exist that impact the school district. The school district immediately contacted the police and requested a meeting to understand the nature and substance of the allegations.

In December of 2021, the Lakewood City Police Department met with school officials and informed the school district of additional allegations, that if true, would have further direct impact upon school funds. Although the matter is potentially serious, it is important to note that no tax dollars have been lost due to this situation.

Based upon this information regarding alleged significant financial irregularities, on January 26, the individual was placed on paid administrative leave from his position as a behavior specialist at Franklin School of Opportunity, while the investigation continues. Additionally, the individual, who did not yet have a contract to coach for the Lakewood High School Baseball program in 2022, will not be offered a contract and will not coach the team this school year.

As baseball season is fast approaching, the selection of the new head baseball coach is presently underway and will be completed shortly. As soon as an individual has been selected, that information will be communicated.

The Lakewood community and school district have a proud baseball tradition. That tradition will continue, uninterrupted, in 2022.
The 2022 Lakewood City Schools baseball program will continue as presently scheduled.
The 2022 community youth baseball programs associated with the Community Recreation and Education Department of the Lakewood City Schools, will continue as presently scheduled.

The Lakewood City School District is committed to transparency and open communication with the community we serve. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not yet able to share details of the situation. We are committed, however, to sharing what we can when we are able to do so.

The Lakewood City School District will continue to hold our teachers, staff, and coaches to a high ethical standard while remaining good stewards of our citizens’ tax dollars.

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Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident

"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg

"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
User avatar
Jim O'Bryan
Posts: 14103
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:12 pm
Location: Lakewood
Contact:

Re: Bad News, Good People Caught Doing Bad Things.

Postby Jim O'Bryan » Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:20 pm

I have heard some of the details on what is going on, and it is a terrible story, of the fall of a really good person.

The good news, it has been stopped, and the person can hopefully make good.

He is one of Lakewood's favorite people, longtime Lakewoodite, who ran into some problems, and made some bad choices.

He is ready to make good.

The real problem is, how many people knew of this problem and refused to speak up, confront the person, or go to the authorities.

Had anyone done that years ago when the first people mentioned to to the School Board, other coaches, and administrators, the person could have gotten help.

But no one wants to confront the truth in this city.

.


Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident

"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg

"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama

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