Another unusual twist in the ongoing Children Services Saga. The Scioto County Commissioners announced a special Monday Meeting on Friday. They said a joint meeting with the Scioto County Children Services Board was scheduled for Monday, August 3rd at 4:30 pm at the Scioto County Department of Job and Family Services in the first floor conference room. Due to COVID regulations, the press and public could watch the meeting on their Facebook page.
Just a day later, Commissioners said the commissioners cancelled the meeting meeting “due to issues beyond our control.” They said the meeting will be rescheduled.
Dismissal Of An Employee
Last Wednesday afternoon, Scioto County Commissioners called a special joint meeting with the Scioto County Children Services Board to consider the dismissal of an employee. Children Services Board President, Rodney Barnett, sat at the table with Commissioners Davis and Crabtree. Commissioner Coleman surrendered her seat at the table to comply with social distancing guidelines.
After the roll call of board members and commissioners, they switched to executive session to discuss the matter. Executives sessions are not open to the public.
After about an hour, commissioners and CPS board members returned. County Commissioner Bryan Davis announced, ”
The Board of County Commissioners has exited the executive session. We will not be taking any action as a result of anything discussed in the executive session tonight.”
However, the Board of Children Services remained in executive session. The commissioners left the room and allowed the CPS board to continue their private meeting.
Commissioner Davis quickly cited ORC 121.22 sections G1, G2, and G5.
Here is what that code says:
121.22 Public meetings – exceptions
(G) Except as provided in divisions (G)(8) and (J) of this section, the members of a public body may hold an executive session only after a majority of a quorum of the public body determines, by a roll call vote, to hold an executive session and only at a regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of any of the following matters:
(1) To consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual, unless the public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing. Except as otherwise provided by law, no public body shall hold an executive session for the discipline of an elected official for conduct related to the performance of the elected official’s official duties or for the elected official’s removal from office. If a public body holds an executive session pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section, the motion and vote to hold that executive session shall state which one or more of the approved purposes listed in division (G)(1) of this section are the purposes for which the executive session is to be held, but need not include the name of any person to be considered at the meeting.
(2) To consider the purchase of property for public purposes, the sale of property at competitive bidding, or the sale or other disposition of unneeded, obsolete, or unfit-for-use property in accordance with section 505.10 of the Revised Code, if premature disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest. No member of a public body shall use division (G)(2) of this section as a subterfuge for providing covert information to prospective buyers or sellers. A purchase or sale of public property is void if the seller or buyer of the public property has received covert information from a member of a public body that has not been disclosed to the general public in sufficient time for other prospective buyers and sellers to prepare and submit offers.
If the minutes of the public body show that all meetings and deliberations of the public body have been conducted in compliance with this section, any instrument executed by the public body purporting to convey, lease, or otherwise dispose of any right, title, or interest in any public property shall be conclusively presumed to have been executed in compliance with this section insofar as title or other interest of any bona fide purchasers, lessees, or transferees of the property is concerned.
5) Matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or regulations or state statutes;
A member, presumably from the Board of Childrens Services, cited (G)(2) as “Personnel Investigation”. While we don’t see that in the code, you can hear for yourself at the 1:04 marker.
Under (G)(5), the matters will be kept confidential. There have been no press releases and our requests for comments have been declined due to confidentiality.
On Thursday, Candidate for County Commissioner John K McHenry contacted SCDN to voice his support of a children’s home. Commissioners have entertained the idea over the last couple of years. They have even taken tours of homes that they felt were operating safely and efficiently. McHenry believes we should quit window shopping and make some actionable plans.
Under Fire
I spoke to the newly appointed director of Scioto County Children Services earlier this week to talk about the crisis facing the agency in the wake of two kids dying on their watch.
The agency was hit by a storm of criticism after the murder of baby Dylan Groves. The trial of his parents made national headlines. Both the prosecution and defense pointed fingers at Children Services. The State of Ohio moved in to take over and reorganize the entire agency. The Scioto County Children Services Board placed Director Lora Fuller on administrative leave in June of 2019.
From October of 2019 to February of 2020, Lowell Howard served as the interim director. Vicki Evans served as interim director from March through June. With nearly two dozen applicants on file, the Children Services Board officially appointed Mantell to head the agency at the beginning of June, but the public announcement of his appointment was delayed until July.
Just days later, a New Boston couple were charged with the murder of their 5-year-old granddaughter. Scioto County Children Services placed the victim, Annabell Greene, in the custody of her grandparents Richard and Sonya Greene in mid-May. Additionally, CPS placed the girl’s two brothers in the suspect’s custody.
Fix The Shortcomings
Mantell said he realized the agency had problems and that it is high time to fix them. The deaths of children under the protection of the agency are especially troubling to the new director.
“One major priority that we are currently addressing (and will continue to address) is our assessment of past and current practices, policies, and staff training. This would be necessary in any situation, however, with two child fatalities (of children in our care), within the past two years, it is of the utmost importance to examine and rectify any and all shortcomings within our agency.”
Improved Communication
Mantell admits the agency hasn’t done the best job of communicating with citizens. He said he is focused on “improved and increased communication within the community.”
Increased and better communication within the agency is also a top priority. Mantell said he wants to improve communication with local law enforcement agencies as well.
Broken And Unfixable
Mantell said he is fully aware of the agency’s tarnished reputation in the community. He wants the public to understand what the purpose of Children Services is under the law and what they can and cannot do. The Director said, “We recognize the anger and frustration. I have personally listened to and spoken with concerned members of Scioto County. We greatly value input from local and concerned citizens. I am open to continuing this line of communication as I believe it is vital in gaining insight, understanding, and trust within our community.”
Mantell said he realized that some people view CPS as “a broken and unfixable agency.”
One Thing To Know
We also asked Mantell to tell us the one thing he wanted the public to know about Scioto County Children Services. He said, “We want people to be aware that our agency and its employees are working daily to ensure the safety of children and to improve our abilities as child welfare agents.”
He said CPS workers appreciated the support they received from many citizens and local agencies. Mantell said they are all working toward the common goal of keeping kids safe in Scioto County. He also admitted he understands why some people doubt the agency. However, he made this plea, “Regardless of opinion or stance, we ask that if you feel there is a report to be made and/or you feel we have failed in some way, please feel encouraged to contact our agency and share what you know and/or believe to be true.”