Northwestern Local Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Layton placed on leave pending investigation

WEST SALEM , Ohio (WJW) — Administrators of Northwestern Local Schools in Wayne County last week placed the district superintendent on leave, pending an investigation.

“The Board of Eduction recently learned of allegations that necessitate a formal investigation of alleged conduct by Superintendent Jeffrey Layton , and intends to hire a neutral, independent party to investigate the allegations,” reads a unanimous resolution from the district board of education’s April 11 meeting.

The resolution places Layton on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, assigning him to “home,” where he’ll be expected to continue his “non-statutory” tasks and duties.

Julie McCumber, the district’s director of curriculum and personnel, has been named acting superintendent during the investigation, according to a district spokesperson. She’ll be paid $133,034 per year, prorated by month, according to the board’s resolution.

Corey Richardson has been named acting principal of the middle school.

The 2023-24 school year was Layton’s 19th year leading the district, according to the district’s website .

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