Re: Marlington Local School District Board of Education Response to Marlington Matters

LLC

Dear Ms. Krupko and Mr. Robertson:

I represent the Marlington Local School District Board of Education (“Board”). And I am in receipt
of the enclosed letter dated May 7, 2020, that you both sent to the Marlington Local School District
on behalf of Marlington Matters LLC.

While the Board vehemently disputes the allegations set forth in your letter dated May 7, 2020,
the Board continues its desire to build trust and communication with its stakeholders including,
but not limited to, Marlington Matters LLC.

From approximately May 7, 2020 to May 28, 2020, Superintendent Joseph Knoll and Board
President Carolyn Gabric made multiple requests for a virtual meeting with each of you (on behalf
of Marlington Matters LLC) and both Superintendent Knoll and Board President Gabric (on behalf
of the Marlington Local School District). And, while Board President Gabric is not resigning as
you demanded, Superintendent Knoll believed that a virtual meeting would clarify and address the
concerns raised by Marlington Matters LLC. In fact, Superintendent Knoll insisted on leading the
discussion with each of you on behalf of the Board. And Board President Gabric agreed.

Unfortunately, Marlington Matters LLC has repeatedly refused to meet with both Superintendent
Knoll and Board President Gabric as requested and, instead, has demanded that Board President
Gabric meet with the two of you alone.

Please be advised that the Board unanimously agrees that Board President Gabric should not meet
with the two of you alone given the threatened litigation asserted by Marlington Matters LLC.
Instead, Superintendent Knoll and the Board unanimously directed me to send you the instant
communication instead.

To that end, please be advised that the allegations asserted by Marlington Matters LLC are baseless
as a matter of law and wholly unsupported by the facts. By way of example, only:

1. There were no violations of R.C. 121.22(G)(1)-(8) by either the Board or Board

President Gabric.

2. Neither the Board nor Board President Gabric either assumed and/or usurped the
duties of Superintendent Knoll.

3. Neither the Board nor Board President Gabric ever intimidated, harassed, and/or
threatened to terminate Superintendent Knoll.

4. Neither the Board nor Board President Gabric ever self-appointed any legal
counsel.

5. Neither the Board nor Board President mismanaged financial resources.

 6. The Stark County Health Department never stated that board meetings could not
take place.

7. No Board Member including, but not limited to, Board President Gabric ever
engaged any in services and/or decision-making without including the Board.

8. Neither the Board nor Board President Gabric ever concealed any executive
sessions.

9. With respect to agenda item, Superintendent Knoll, Treasurer Kathryn E. Brugger,

Board President Gabric, and all Board Members have been working together as a
team to build trust and communication throughout the Marlington Local School
District as evidenced by the April 9, 2020 District Leadership Team Meeting.

10. Neither the Board nor Board President Gabric ever refused open and robust
discussion of any agenda item as evidenced by the record of the board meetings
themselves.

11. Neither the Board nor Board President Gabric ever suppressed any comments and
certainly not to conceal any unilateral action as no such unilateral action exists.

While the Board vehemently asserts that the threatened removal action is frivolous, Superintendent
Knoll and the Board unanimously believe that Marlington Matters LLC was simply asserting its
baseless allegations in reliance upon misinformation that has been spreading throughout the
Marlington Local School District. As a result, Superintendent Knoll and the Board unanimously
directed me to send you the instant letter.

Make no mistake, there has certainly been vigorous, open debate among the District Leadership
Team Meeting regarding many important issues facing the Marlington Local School District over
this past school year. And the fact that these lively debates have been on full display during face-
to-face board meeting, live-streamed board meetings, news outlets, and social media even further
underscores why the allegations set forth by Marlington Matters LLC are without merit.

As a final point, please know that all such meritless allegations are fully covered by the school
district’s insurance policy, as well as R.C. 309.10, R.C. 3313.203, R.C. 3313.35, R.C. 2744.07,
and applicable laws.

Sincerely,

Matthew John Markling

Enclosure: May 7, 2020 Marlington Matters LLC Letter

cc: Superintendent Joseph Knoll

Treasurer Kathryn E. Brugger
Board President Carolyn Gabric
Josh Hagan, Board Vice President
Karen Humphries, Board Member
Scott Mason, Board Member
Danielle Stevens, Board Member