Canton Local school board requests member Scott Hamilton to resign, then censures him

CANTON TWP. – Canton Local Board of Education member Scott Hamilton was defiant Tuesday while a majority of the five-member board voted in favor of requesting him to resign.

Hamilton, who did step down as president of the board but did not resign, was convicted of misdemeanor theft last week in Massillon Municipal Court. His conviction followed his pleading no contest to allegations of the theft of 166 bales of pine shavings from the Tractor Supply outlet at 4020 Erie Ave. SW in Massillon.

The criminal charge started out as felony theft. A plea bargain dropped it to a misdemeanor.

"My no contest plea was not an admission of guilt," Hamilton said. "A resolution asking me to resign will only further divide our community. I am disappointed that the board members felt compelled to vote on a resolution calling for my resignation. I will oppose any action to force my removal which I feel would be baseless."

More:Canton Local residents want Scott Hamilton to resign from school board amid pending case

The 3-2 vote requesting Hamilton to resign is not binding.

Hamilton was joined by member Annette Davis in voting against the motion, which was introduced by member Chris Cole who has been at odds with Hamilton in recent months.

Joining Cole in voting against Hamilton were Rick Knight and Thomas Kovesci. Knight became board president immediately after Hamilton stepped down from that position.

The special meeting was held to discuss Hamilton's conduct. Shortly after the meeting opened, the board went into a closed-door session for about a half an hour.

Vote taken to censure Hamilton

At the special meeting, the Board of Education also voted to "censure" Hamilton. The censure prohibits Hamilton from publicly speaking at school sponsored events. He also will not be allowed to serve as an announcer at school athletic or extracurricular events.

"If he is not going to resign, we will limit his public presence," Cole said after the meeting. "It is important in that the majority of the board, in light of Mr. Hamilton's conviction, feel he is not the best representative."

Hamilton had a different view of the censure.

"I felt for them not to allow me to do that was mean and hurtful," he said.

More:Canton Local school board President Scott Hamilton accused of stealing from Tractor Supply

Hamilton first elected in 1997

Hamilton is a longtime member of the Canton Local Board of Education. He was first elected in 1997.

When the board meeting opened, Hamilton read from a prepared statement which declared he "did not knowingly or intentionally steal from TSC or anyone else."

"The misunderstanding with TSC has been an absolute nightmare and completely blindsided me," Hamilton's statement also says. "I am deeply sorry for the impact this situation has had on my family, friends, the Canton Local family and the Canton Local community."

About 75 people attended the board meeting at Canton South High School. Superintendent Brett Yeagley made those in attendance know there are no provisions in the law that permit the general public to participate or speak at special meetings.

The board, however, has the authority to allow public participation. Cole introduced a motion to permit public speaking. But the board voted that motion down.

"We made our vote," Kovesci said. "Us arguing about this, fighting about this, isn't going to do any good for Canton Local. We can't continue to harp on it to get him (Hamilton) out."

However, it appears there will be a citizens' petition drive to have Hamilton removed. A petition form states that a total of 583 signatures of registered voters in the school district are needed to have it considered by a Stark County Common Pleas Court judge.

"I really don't want to comment on that," Hamilton said when asked about a possible petition drive.

Tensions rose between Hamilton and Cole earlier this year when the Board of Education voted not to retain Erin Cole as coach for the Canton South High girls volleyball team. Erin Cole is the wife of Chris Cole. Hamilton was among the board members who voted not to retain Erin Cole.

More:Canton Local volleyball coach Erin Cole's dismissal reveals rift among school board

During the meeting Tuesday, Hamilton had supporters. One of them was Brad Clendenin who mentioned the support Hamilton provides school children through the Scott & Edie Hamilton Foundation.

"He is a good man," Clendenin said after the meeting. "He buys supplies, clothes and books for kids."

But there were those who felt like Dave Andrews, who focused on Massillon Municipal Court Judge Edward Elum's verdict.

"Elum said you are guilty," Andrews said. "I don't know why he (Hamilton) is saying he is not guilty. Would an innocent man not take it to trial to clear his name? All he had to do was own the situation."

Reach Malcolm at 330-596-0326

or malcolm.hall@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: mhallREP