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Dr. Lazer named to MCS board

The Marietta City Schools Board of Education swore in Dr. Zane Lazer, 46, of Marietta, to fill a board vacancy during its meeting Monday night.

Nine people had expressed interest in the spot, left open when Greg Gault resigned due to health concerns.

“I’m honored that they picked me,” said Lazer, an eye surgeon. “I plan to do my best to provide the skills that I have to help the school board and the schools of Marietta.”

He will carry out the the remainder of the term through December 2017 and the seat will appear again for voter decision on the November ballot.

“I have a lot to learn about the school board and how it runs but I plan to bring enthusiasm to the position and will be open to any suggestions by any parents in the community,” he said.

Board President Bill Hutchinson said the board was fortunate to have nine people apply for the position.

“We had to decide on nine people that could have stepped in and done the job,” he said. “I encourage any of them to try again for the position during the election in November.”

Lazer will take his seat during the next board meeting in March.

“I was really pleased to have so many candidates,” said Superintendent Will Hampton. “That speaks a lot of the community of Marietta to have so many people want to be involved.”

In other news, several parents addressed concerns brought up at the last meeting about Marietta Middle School basketball coach Shawna Daugherty.

“We have nothing but great things to say about her,” said Jackie Benton, Marietta mother of a seventh-grader on Daugherty’s team.

Benton, along with many other parents, had a petition signed with more than 70 signatures standing behind the basketball coach.

“She does what she does for the love of the game,” said Benton. “And she loves the kids.”

Parent Ryan Herb, who addressed the board last month, saying that the coach had been abusive to his daughter, spoke to the board in public session expressing that nothing’s changed for him.

“Everyone admitted what she had done,” said Herb.

Hutchinson assured Herb that a full investigation was done in regards to the incident where Herb claimed his daughter was physically assaulted by Daugherty.

“We did interviews with all the coaches, parents, teachers and everyone else involved,” he said. “We went back and looked at video tapes, even from that day. We sent administration to all the games, even away games which is unusual, and found nothing.”

Hutchinson also said that he followed up with the Parkersburg Police Department because the game in question took place there.

“We came to the conclusion that nothing was found,” he said. “We didn’t have a lot to say last month because there was a police investigation going on at that time.”

The board then moved into executive session to allow Herb to continue his discussion about the incident. Hampton said the board had a nice conversation with the family and understands their concerns.

“We know what we want from coaches, athletes and teachers and we will continue to do what’s best for our schools,” he said. “The conversation went as well as it could have.”

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