Tempers flare at Sylvania schools forum

4/1/2010

A Sylvania schools community forum Wednesday night turned personal when a man opposed to locating a replacement school for Central Elementary on Wolfinger Road accused Superintendent Brad Rieger of lying.

"That's a lie, Brad," Thomas A. Yoder said after Mr. Rieger denied school officials had ever promised to build the new school on land next to Timberstone Junior High if the Ohio EPA did not expedite the issuance of permits.

The statement prompted school board member Dave Spiess to rise to Mr. Rieger's defense. "I will not stand by and allow him to attack Dr. Rieger's integrity," he told 150 people gathered in Central Elementary.

Opponents of the Wolfinger site said it was infested with mosquitoes in summer and too wet for building. However, supporters, who wore green T-shirts, like the location in the southwest corner of the township and believe the new school is badly needed.