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Community members weigh in on the resignation of Trimble Superintendent John Hurd

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GLOUSTER, Ohio (WOUB) – The heavy storms outside didn’t stop the community from packing the Trimble High School library for a special board meeting to weigh in on the resignation of Superintendent John Hurd. 

With the start of school just a month away, emotions ran high Wednesday evening as audience members debated how to move forward.

“One big thing is the mistrust I think the community has and the way things have been handled,” Mark Brunton, a parent who attended the meeting, told the board. “And it’s time to get past that. We’ve got a lot of people wanting to raise money.”

Mark Brunton speaking at a Trimble Board meeting.
Mark Brunton told the Trimble Board of Education he believes the district is now moving in the right direction. [Ty Carpenter | WOUB]
Brunton said he understood why Hurd would step down, given his age and the serious budget problems the district is facing. But he did not support the superintendent’s tenure.

“The superintendent is basically a CEO, that’s what they are,” said Brunton. “Looking at everything as a whole, with the situation we’re in … it’s a part of accountability.”

But not all members of the public shared his point of view. Melissa Jewell offered her support for Hurd, believing the board pushed him out.

“What’s happening on this board and has happened is despicable. It is vile,” Jewell told the board.

“Frankly, every single member of the board has failed to take the seriousness of the financial recommendations that were given,” Jewell continued. “All of this proves one thing. The board is responsible for putting Trimble in this financial disaster.”

Jewell then directed her comments to board member Kevin Coey and board President Gary Arnold. She criticized them for what she called unprofessional and targeted behavior.

“Kevin, your agenda has been obvious for years. You should never have had a seat on this board,” said Jewell. “Then Gary, you make comments. ‘Anyone sign up for a public participation so the board can get yelled at?’ Very inappropriate.”

Her speech was met with applause by some members of the audience. In response, Arnold defended the board and addressed her concerns.

Melissa Jewell speaks at Trimble Board of Education meeting
Melissa Jewell addresses the Trimble Board of Education in support of Superintendent John Hurd, who resigned this week. [Ty Carpenter | WOUB]
“Anybody who’s tried to talk to me, call me, I’ve answered your phone,” said Arnold. “So I’m up for reelection this November. If people hate me that bad, guess what they can do? Run against me and beat me.” 

In his resignation letter, Hurd claimed the board failed to take action on staffing cuts, and failed to restructure the food service department, allegedly costing the district over $300,000. He also stated the board had “increasingly overreaching involvement” into the operations of the school. 

Arnold challenged Hurd’s claims.

“In January, when we found out we were really in the red, Mr. Hurd said ‘Maybe we should talk about contracting out the cafeteria stuff’,” said Arnold. “That’s what we heard until June 18th, when he came to us with a bid sheet that had wrong numbers on it.”

Arnold also said the board followed Hurd’s recommendations to address the budget crisis.

“And I got news for you. All except one person who Mr. Hurd asked to be laid off was laid off,” said Arnold. “So you can blame the board on a lot of things, but all you’ve got to do is read the audit.”

Interim Superintendent Lindy Douglas offered her sympathy to the audience, and said the board will be more transparent moving forward. She invited all members of the public to attend future meetings and provide input on potential actions by the board. 

The Board of Education will meet again at 6 p.m. Monday for a special meeting to discuss placing a levy on the ballot this November.