The Springboro school board on Thursday night postponed action on hiring a consultant to study the treasurer's office after residents questioned the contract and the consultant's connection to the board president.
Board President Kelly Kohls and Board Vice President Jim Rigano voted to hire MLA Associates, a management consulting firm headed by Seth Morgan. Morgan is Kohls' political ally.
Board members David Petroni, Don Miller and Wendy Kull voted to table the proposal until a new treasurer is hired.
Earlier Thursday, an email noting Morgan's conservative background and links to Kohls urged people to protest the contract at Thursday night's meeting. At the meeting, residents Karen Robinson and Greg Dastillung noted Kohls' connection to Morgan, a former state representative and Huber Heights councilman who has ties with Americans for Prosperity, a national conservative organization.
Mike Mahoney, a parent and lawyer, urged the board to carefully review the contract.
Petroni said he agreed with the concept of an outside review but could not support paying MLA as much as $9,500 plus expenses.
Kohls said she supported the contract as a way of getting outside help for the treasurer's office.
A slate of board members taking office in January also urged Kohls and the current board not to act on the contract.
