| By Bob Weaver
Arnoldsburg school parents are expected to be at the Calhoun school board meeting tonight wanting answers.
They are upset about the hiring of Arnoldsburg principal Dr. Gene Rizzo, who was reportedly dismissed from a principal's job at a Maryland school in 2001, following an incident with his girlfriend, who was a secretary at his school.
(See earlier Herald stories)
Rizzo, an award-winning educator, is scheduled to begin work this week at the school.
"He (Gene Rizzo) has had some problems which are of a personal nature and have nothing to do with his professional career," said superintendent Ron Blankenship. "I don't think we have a problem here," Blankenship told the Parkersburg News.
Blankenship told the Herald he understands the concerns of parents, and expects to discuss the issue with the board during an executive session tonight.
He plans to issue a statement regarding the problem following tonight's meeting.
The Washington Post also reported Rizzo was accused of assaulting another school secretary he had been dating in 1996.
School officials told the Washington Post he was not removed from his job at that time because he was found not guilty of any of the charges.
The York Dispatch of York PA reported that Rizzo submitted a letter of resignation in January, 2004 after serving as principal of South Eastern Middle School for six months.
School officials said Rizzo's resignation was personal and not professional.
The educator has reportedly been working as a consultant.
Blankenship told the Parkersburg News that Rizzo has more of a problem with parents who have been hearing rumors and have already made conclusions about the man.
Parents say they were not informed of Rizzo's "criminal background," and are unclear about his history.
Rizzo was fired in 2001 from his job at Calvert Elementary School in Prince Frederick, Md., after being charged with fourth-degree burglary, according to a Washington Post article obtained by Arnoldsburg parents from the Internet.
Reports said he served 30 days in jail, and was required to seek counseling services.
This incident, according to newspaper documentation, is Rizzo's only criminal charge that has surfaced in news accounts, likely a misdemeanor, but that could not be verified.
Tracy Lancaster, the parent of an Arnoldsburg School student, said Blankenship and other school officials have refused to answer her questions concerning Rizzo, according to a news report in the Parkersburg News.
Lancaster said she had spoken with board member Cynthia Dale who told her she was unaware of Rizzo's conviction.
Lancaster said she was concerned that some of the parents have been told the board will allow only one person to speak about the issue at tonight's meeting.
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