| Arnoldsburg grandmother Brenda Holcomb has organized a community meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the community building to discuss the hiring of the new Arnoldsburg principal Dr. Gene Rizzo.
"We would like for all concerned parents to attend," she said.
"I know it's short notice," said Holcomb, who said she was trying to contact Superintendent Ron Blankenship, Dr. Rizzo and school board members, but had not reached them late Wednesday. She said she had invited the Parkersburg News and Channel 3-TV.
Holcomb, who attended Monday's board meeting where Dr. Rizzo fielded dozens of questions regarding his personal life, said she is concerned he had to attend anger management classes and enter counseling.
"I'm worried about how he will be around our children," she said. "I sympathize with him over his personal problems."
Holcomb said she was unable to accept Rizzo's promise to resign at Christmas, if he doesn't do a good job. "I don't think he would resign," she said.
Tracy Lancaster, who was one of the Arnoldsburg parents that raised concerns about Rizzo's hiring, said "I believe that if I voice my concerns publicly, then I must also voice my assurances in the same way."
"I am very happy that I attended the Board of Education meeting last night. We were given the opportunity to confront Dr. Rizzo with our many questions and concerns. Not one of my concerns went unanswered," she said.
"Dr. Rizzo did make a stupid mistake and has paid for that mistake long enough. Blankenship confirmed that Rizzo had a single misdemeanor charge against him, following an incident where Rizzo entered the house of his girlfriend of five years."
Lancaster said there is no evidence that Dr. Rizzo has had problems in his professional life. "He answered our questions with brutal truth and looked us in the eye. I appreciate that," she said.
Holcomb said she could not rely on just talk, and believed that parents should see documentation regarding Rizzo's legal problems, which she said he did not have with him at Monday's meeting.
She said some of the parents would have liked a local applicant to be hired to the position, although Blankenshipship said Rizzo was by far the most qualified.
He said only one of the other applicants had some administrative experience.
READ HERALD ARTICLES
8/17 Dr. Rizzo "Answered Our Questions With Brutal Truth"
8/16 Dr. Rizzo Bares Personal Life
8/15 Arnoldsburg Parents Want Answers
8/13 Arnoldsburg Parents Upset Over Principal's Hiring
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