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Pickerington Superintendent Departs

CINCINNATI -- Former superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia has announced her resignation from the troubled Pickerington Local School District, ABC6/Fox28 News has learned.

She made the announcement Thursday afternoon at the site of her new superintendent position at Lakota Local Schools in Liberty Township. The move comes following a vote by the Lakota Schools governing board on Wednesday.

Last April, massive job cuts within PLSD were revealed that would affect nearly 13 percent of the district's teachers, staff and administrators.

At a meeting, school board members announced the names of teachers and staff on the chopping block for next school year. The employees ranged from first- year teachers to faculty with more than 20 years tenure, who, at the time, taught at all grade levels.

With a $13-million deficit and a voted down levy, district administrators said their hands were tied.

Dr. Mantia reiterated at the April meeting that none of the cuts were merit based. However, seniority was said to play a role in many cases.

"We know these teachers we've grown up with them its very difficult," Board President Lisa Reade said. She called it the toughest decision she has had to make during her tenure.

"It's just a hard atmosphere in the school when everybody is losing their job and you're not sure if you're kicked or bumped," explained Anna Kuenzli, a first-year art teacher who was expected to be without a job.

"Its hard to say that it makes me not want to be a part of the education system because its so ugly right now," she said.

Lee Cole, a spokeswoman for the district, says there still is a chance not every name on the list will lead to a layoff.  Cole says the district is now working to place some teachers and staff in other school districts and find ways to keep other employees on board.

The following is a letter that Dr. Mantia released on Thursday concerning her department from PLSD:

Dear Parents and Residents,


It is with a heavy heart that I relinquish my position as superintendent of the Pickerington Local School District.

Throughout my career, my primary focus has been on meeting the needs of the students and staff that I serve. Today, I must put my family first. Leaving such a wonderful place was a difficult and emotional decision.

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