By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The Wynford Board of Education accepted the resignation of long-time band director Carl Copeland Monday morning.
Copeland’s resignation as band director and instrumental music teacher was effective Feb. 21. The board approved the resignation with a 5-0 vote.
Copeland had been suspended without pay in November until termination proceedings could be completed. At the time Wynford Superintendent Steve Mohr stated that Copeland’s actions constituted grounds for termination under guidelines set forth by the Ohio Revised Code.
Matthew Safford had been tapped after the school year had begun to take over all of Copeland’s classes and duties with the marching and school bands. Safford had officially been hired at a Nov. 17 school board meeting to finish out the balance of the year.
The school board also amended the contractual dates for the superintendent during its special meeting. Mohr stressed that it was not an extension on his contract but a correction. Due to an error during Mohr’s retire-rehire period, the superintendent’s contract incorrectly stated that his contract ended on July 1, 2015 rather than the correct date of July 31, 2016. The board voted 5-0 to reflect the correct date.