Dozens of Lakewood teachers call in sick

More than half of the teachers at Lakewood High School in Hebron in Licking County called in sick Friday, leaving district officials scrambling to cover classes.

And school board member submitted his resignation Thursday, a day after the board in a split vote rejected the hiring of a new high school principal.

“To this point in time, I have, to the best of my abilities and character, served my Lakewood alma mater with forthright integrity and honesty,” board member Bill Gulick wrote in his resignation notice. “I take pride in the accomplishments of the district through the past seven years.”

Reached Friday by phone, Gulick declined to comment on the decision.

Superintendent Mary Kay Andrews informed parents, students and others of the situation early Friday, noting that 27 teachers submitted leave requests the evening before.

“The teachers followed proper procedures according to the terms of their contract in requesting their leave,” Andrews wrote. “We had a smooth start to the school day with some class-shifting and initiating state testing.”

Many students subsequently contacted their parents and were released from school for the day, Andrews noted.

The school board on Wednesday evening rejected hiring Kevin Krier, assistant high school principal, to a two-year, $93,770 contract as high school principal. Andrews declined to comment on the decision, writing in her letter to parents: “Mr. Krier has done an outstanding job for the students and staff at Lakewood High School.”

Gulick was one of two board members who supported Krier’s hiring. Three others were opposed.

Former Lakewood High School Principal Stacey Stein submitted her resignation in February after being charged in Fairfield County with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

The high school has about 600 students and 53 teachers.