Central board president defends hiring of superintendent's son

Despite concerns raised, official says employment was handled properly.

York, PA -

The Central York School Board president said there was nothing improper about the hiring of the superintendent's son for a teaching position, despite concerns being raised.

The board's July 8 agenda included the hiring of Michael S. Snell II as a health and physical education teacher at Central York Middle School. Michael Wagner, board president, confirmed that Snell II is the son of district Supt. Michael Snell and said the seven board members present approved the hiring.

Anne Kahlbaugh, who will appear on the ballot for Central York School Board in the fall, said the matter was brought to her attention by a community member so she looked into it. She wrote a letter to the editor criticizing the decision, saying there were likely more experienced candidates unaffiliated with administrators.

She believes the board violated a policy on employment that states "Political patronage or favoritism based on family relationship at no time will enter into the employment, assignment or promotion of individuals."

The decision is a "blur of the trust" given the board, she said Thursday. "I just feel more due diligence needed to be done in that area."

Wagner said that he looked into the matter more because questions were being asked. In his opinion, that policy

has not been violated.

Board members knew the item would be on the agenda, he said, and at his request, Supt. Snell spoke to each board member prior to the meeting and told them they could speak to the hiring principal if they wanted. He knows of one board member that did.

Wagner said he sat down with the assistant superintendent, who was involved in the final interview process, and was convinced no one was pressured to hire the younger Snell.

The superintendent was not involved in the interviewing process, Wagner said. He said he heard a summary of the five finalists and was convinced administrators picked who they believed to be the best candidate for the job.

"I think I can appreciate the concern," he said, but he has faith in those doing the hiring that they "didn't feel compelled or pressured to make the decision they did."

Wagner said he also heard concerns about there being more experienced candidates. But he said Snell II has a teaching certificate that makes him qualified. Every teacher was a first-year teacher at some point, he said.

Kahlbaugh thinks the decision should be revisited.

"I know decisions are hard ... this seems to be pretty straightforward," she said.

Snell II could not be reached. District spokesman Julie Romig the district and superintendent would not have further comment.

Online

The Central York School Board posts meeting agendas, policies and other documents online.

Learn more at www.cysd.k12.pa.us.

@angiemason1; 771-2048

Source: http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_23687954/central-board-president-defends-hiring-superintendents-son?source=rss

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