Citing ‘politics,’ Scott Hamilton quits Canton Local School Board

CANTON TWP. – Scott Hamilton, a longtime member of the Canton Local School Board, resigned from the board Friday morning, citing politics at a board meeting the day before and divisions within the board.

“I am extremely disappointed by the politics that were displayed yet again at our board meeting yesterday and the divisions that continue to exist within our board. As such, I am resigning from my position with the Canton Local Board of Education effective immediately,” Hamilton, a board member since 1998, wrote in an email to Canton Local Board President Tom Kovesci. “It has been an absolute privilege to work with my fellow board members, administrators and staff. It has been especially rewarding to work with all of the remarkable students, many of whom have gone on to do great things in their careers and, more importantly, in their lives.”

By Friday afternoon, Hamilton’s photo and name had been removed from the school board’s website.

Discussion in closed meeting led to dismissal

The board met Thursday afternoon at Canton South High School for a closed-door meeting, which was not open to the public. The purpose was to “discuss the employment, appointment, or disciplinary action of and/or a complaint against a government employee or servant.”

Hamilton, Kovesci and board members Annette Davis and Brandi Noll attended the meeting. Rick Knight was not present because he was traveling, Kovesci said. He said Knight listened to the closed meeting by phone.

State law generally does not permit a government body to meet in closed session to discuss “the discipline of an elected official for conduct related to the performance of the elected official’s official duties or for the removal of the elected official from office.”

Hamilton and Kovesci would not disclose which government official or clerk the board members discussed during the meeting.

“I can’t get into that because there are laws against it,” Hamilton said. “I don’t really want to get into that. I’m just saying it’s been a pain in the ass for a while now because of the politics. … It’s just the constant politics and division that we’ve been dealing with for a number of years and I’m just fed up with it.”

When asked what laws he was referring to, Hamilton named the Ohio School Boards Association.

“I’m trying to keep this as low key as possible,” Hamilton said. “I still want to have a good relationship with the board and the administration (and I’m not) trying to smear the administration.”

What happened during the closed meeting?

Kovesci, who is new to the board, said whatever is discussed during the closed meeting will have no impact on the district’s property taxpayers, the use of their tax dollars, the education of students or the district’s staff.

Kovesci and Hamilton said they did not expect a lawsuit to arise over the issue that led to Hamilton’s resignation.

“I want to thank Mr. Hamilton for what he’s done over the years. I appreciate everything he’s done and I wish you continued success in the future,” Kovesci said. “We’re following the board’s policy to replace the board member. … That’s already in the process and that’s really all I have.”

When asked in an email why Hamilton had resigned, Superintendent Brett Yeagley issued the following statement: “Mr. Hamilton served on the Canton Local Board of Education for 26 years. Canton Local Schools is grateful for Mr. Hamilton’s years of service to the district and we wish him nothing but the best.”

Finding a Successor for Canton Local School Board

Hamilton’s seventh four-year term on the board was set to expire at the end of 2025. Under state law, the remaining board members must appoint Hamilton’s successor for the remainder of his term at least 10 days after the board seat becomes vacant.

A statement from the board said a board member must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, have lived in the district for at least 30 days and be registered to vote. The deadline for applicants to apply to become a board member is 8 a.m. Thursday. Applicants should submit their applications to Canton Local Board of Education Treasurer Jason Schatzel at [email protected] or 600 Faircrest St. SE, Canton OH 44707.

The board has called a special meeting to interview the candidates on July 26 at 3 p.m. in the Canton South High School community room.

Hamilton had been on board for more than 26 years

Hamilton was first elected to the board in 1997. He first took office in January 1998. He said he believes his 26 1/2-year tenure is the longest of any Canton Local School board member in the district’s 200-year history.

In 2022, the Massillon District Attorney’s Office filed a theft charge against Hamilton, who was accused by store employees of stealing at least 166 bales of pine shavings from Tractor Supply Co. in Massillon over a five-month period. Hamilton’s attorney said the case was a misunderstanding and that Hamilton had paid for the shavings. Hamilton, then chairman of the board of directors, eventually pleaded guilty to a theft charge, paid more than $1,000 in restitution and was sentenced to 40 hours of community service. He has since denied knowingly stealing from the store.

Related: Canton Local School Board Chairman Guilty of Theft, Stole 166 Bales of Pine Shavings

Following his conviction, some residents demanded that Hamilton resign from the board, and the board voted 3-2 to ask Hamilton to resign and censure him. Kovesci, Knight and then-board member Chris Cole voted in favor of the nonbinding resolution. Hamilton resigned as board chair, but refused to resign from the board.

Hamilton opposed the renewal of Coles’ wife’s contract as coach of the Canton South High School volleyball team.

Cole filed a criminal complaint against Hamilton later that year, alleging that Hamilton had stolen yard signs telling him to resign. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office charged Hamilton with theft. But the Canton District Attorney’s Office dropped the charges, saying the signs Hamilton allegedly took were on public property in Canton Township and Canton, and were no longer Cole’s property. Cole did not seek re-election to the board in 2023.

Related: Sign theft charges dropped against Canton Local school board member Scott Hamilton

In January, Massillon Municipal Judge Edward Elum overturned Hamilton’s sole theft conviction in the Tractor Supply Co. case.

Related: Judge agrees to expunge criminal conviction of Canton Local Board of Education member

Hamilton said nothing of what happened this week had anything to do with his previous lawsuits.

Hamilton, 62, manager of the suspension systems company Hendrickson, has three adult children who graduated from Canton South High School. He said he would continue to help Canton Local School students with grants from his and his wife’s Scott and Edie Hamilton Foundation. Hamilton said he would continue to support the Canton South Booster Club. And he said he would continue to coach non-district youth baseball for boys ages 5 to 8, which he has done for 30 years.

“I pride myself on working hard for the kids and I will continue to do so even though I will no longer be on the board,” Hamilton said.

Contact Robert at [email protected]. X formerly Twitter: @rwangREP.