MEDINA: Medina’s school superintendent agreed Thursday to give back a bonus and potential merit raises in his new contract.
The school board’s recent decision to award Randy Stepp an $83,000 bonus along with potential annual merit raises that could total $36,000 created controversy among some parents and teachers in the cash-strapped district.
Some school critics turned to social media to raise awareness about the bonus and even created a Facebook page this week for residents to use for sounding off.
The site attracted more than 800 likes and generated a spirited debate over the board’s decision.
When a large crowd of residents showed up at a school board meeting Wednesday, officials had to move the meeting to a larger venue.
The board asked those gathered to write their questions on a piece of paper so they could be answered later.
The board then voted to go into executive session, generating shouts and jeers from the crowd.
Bumper stickers that called for the superintendent to “Stepp Down Now!” were being sold in the community.
The board has called a meeting for 6 p.m. today in the Medina High School Performing Arts Center to meet with residents about Stepp’s contract.
The district on Thursday said it soon will post on its website — www.medinacityschooldistrict.org — answers to the questions that have been submitted.
