LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) - The termination of a Tri-State teacher who is accused of calling off sick to attend a Nashville concert is on hold, at least for now.
Eileen Washburn has requested a hearing and remains on unpaid leave.
The board that oversees Greater Cincinnati’s second-largest school district was poised to vote to fire her at their last regular meeting on April 22 but now that process is halted until she has a hearing.
Washburn has been advised by her legal counsel not to comment and referred FOX19 NOW to her attorney on Monday.
We will update this story when we hear back.
Lakota Interim Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli recommended earlier this month that Washburn be fired.
Washburn “falsified sick leave” on Feb. 8 and 9 and told colleagues she was attending a show in Nashville, according to a school board resolution first passed unanimously by the board on April 3.
She also “refused to answer questions” about her “whereabouts” or specifics on her alleged need for sick time” during a pre-disciplinary meeting,” in violation of the teachers union contract, the resolution states.
“From the evidence gathered, the conclusion was that Ms. Washburn’s actions violated O.R.C. §3319.141, Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 14.01(H), a number of Board Policies, including 3432 (Sick Leave) and 3210 (Staff Ethics),” it reads.
“Her actions also violated the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators, specifically Principles 1 and 3. 4. Other good and just cause.”
In a statement Monday to FOX19 NOW, the interim superintendent said:
“Generally, the Lakota Local School District does not comment on personnel matters. However, we have received communications from individuals within and outside of the Lakota community regarding the Board’s actions from April 4, 2024, to initiate a termination process, and wanted to clarify a few points.
“Ohio law and Lakota’s collective bargaining agreement provide specific reasons that a public school employee may take sick leave. This is different from private employers who give access to a broader use of “paid time off.” Lakota’s educators are aware that they may only take sick leave for very specific reasons, and that under statute, taking sick leave for a reason not permitted under statute is considered falsification which can result in termination.
All educators in Ohio are held to this standard through the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators set by the State Board of Education. Lakota takes allegations of falsification of sick leave seriously and will pursue this personnel matter through its statutory process.”
Washburn is an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language) at Lakota East High School, according to a district spokeswoman.
She also is a Loveland City School District board member, according to her biography on the Loveland district’s website.
Her school board term expires at the end of 2025.
She previously taught at Lakota West High School and Princeton High School, Loveland’s website states.
Washburn also has worked as a varsity softball coach, student government advisor and yearbook advisor and is the mother of two children, according to her biography.
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