Court rules Lowellville online learning plan may stand
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A Mahoning County Court Magistrate has ruled on a lawsuit filed by parents of two Lowellville School students against the board of education, claiming that a vote to begin fall classes online only was illegal.
The ruling from Magistrate Timothy Welsh handed down Monday agreed with the parent’s contention that the August 10 school board session adopting online classes did violate Ohio’s Open Meetings Law.
However, Magistrate Welsh noted that Lowellville Superintendent Dr. Eugene Thomas didn’t need the board’s approval for his online learning plan to be implemented, so the court will not move to place a hold on the plan.
Parents, Christopher, and Gina Crilley wanted the judge to nullify the board’s action and order that the board holds another meeting with prior notification to the public to vote on the learning plan.
Welsh did order the board to adopt a policy that would allow people to determine where and when meetings will be held. He denied the board’s request that the Crilley’s be ordered to pay the board’s legal fees but awarded the couple $500 in damages.
Both sides have two weeks to file objections to the decision.