Wednesday, August 11, 1999
Principal resigns under cloud
Reinhard allegedly paid twice for trips
BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Money improperly collected on expense reports has led to the resignation of a Clermont Northeastern principal, who now is being investigated on allegations that he did the same thing as a member of the Mason school board.
Mason police began an investigation Monday into allegations that Jon Reinhard — a board member for 10 years with the Mason City School District — received double payment for expenses he filed for a trip to San Antonio. The money, about $350, was collected from the district and from a federal grant.
Mr. Reinhard, 38, of Mason resigned Aug. 3 as principal at Clermont Northeastern High School in Clermont County's Stonelick Township, after he was confronted with double expense payments of about $3,000.
The double payments in both cases were the result of “some sloppy paperwork on my part,” and not an attempt to profit, Mr. Reinhard said Tuesday.
“I thought I had filed it correctly. I told them (Clermont Northeastern officials) I felt I had made an honest mistake,” Mr. Reinhard said. “It was not malicious on my part. There was no intent to conceal anything.”
Tim Oliver, prosecutor for Warren County, said he would decide after police investigate whether criminal charges are warranted. Mason school officials could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
Mr. Reinhard, Clermont Northeastern's principal for two years, said he apologized Aug. 3 to Superintendent Charles Shreve and paid back the money. But, he said, he was given two options — resign or face the possibility that district officials would seek criminal charges.
Clermont County Prosecutor Donald White, notified by the school district's attorney after Mr. Reinhard's resignation, said Tuesday that no criminal charges had been filed. School district officials did not want the case pursued, Mr. White said.
“I decided, based on their (Clermont Northeastern officials') decision, we'd let it rest,” Mr. White said. “In a financial crime, we listen to them (the victims.)”
Mr. Reinhard said Tuesday he wished he had been told sooner about the discrepancies — which stemmed from trips last spring — and been allowed to think over his decision to resign.
The situation was settled without harm to the district, Superintendent Shreve said.
“Uppermost in my mind was not the interest of Mr. Reinhard but the interests of the school district,” Mr. Shreve said. “And I can assure you, they were protected. (Mr. White) is satisfied that we handled the situation in the best manner possible.”
Both the Clermont Northeastern and the Mason expenses cover trips Mr. Reinhard made for Ohio School-To-Work, part of a national program called High Schools That Work. Participating schools, which include Clermont Northeastern High School, revamp curriculum to raise achievement of students who don't plan to attend college.
The problems occurred, Mr. Reinhard said, because he was getting reimbursed for expenses from two sources — the district and Ohio School-To-Work Region 5. He said he unintentionally listed the same expenses on reports to both.
Police review: Carpenter shooting justified
Bell, airport lead campaign against new area code
Driver hits 4, speeds away
CPS lowers bar on grades for activity participation
City busing cut hits small schools
Labor could throw support to Springer
Send us your ideas on tax surplus
Who gets Bengals seats in the taxpayers' suite?
5/3 won't pursue mistaken deposits
Desperate blood bank reaches out to public
Hot spell put chill on camping
Parched Ohio a disaster area
Principal resigns under cloud
Schools want students back on time
Catching up with the Class of '69
FBI joins search for rapist
Inmate sues to get abortion
Johnny Bench sued over golf clubs
Seniors' public housing inspected
GET TO IT
Little of Lilith should be missed
New help for knees
Asbestos firms' trial postponed
Board moves toward fall levy vote
City eases rules on housing
Coast Guard, sun clear gas from Ohio
Computer's child porn not local, police say
Dad's release goal of papers, defendant says
Debt would go, but so might control if water system sold
dispatch centers open talks on merger
Health priorities developed
Jury in child's death split on some charges
Middletown/Monroe schools seek levy renewal
Mo-ped driver injured in crash
Schools ask state board to OK split
Small piece of new highway to open
Sweet rewards for buckling up
Taste of Colerain celebrates 10th year
TRISTATE DIGEST
