April 25th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Apparently the level of mistrust among members of the Allegany County Board of Education as well as general dysfunction  is even greater than has been on public display in recent months. In a wide ranging interview Thursday morning on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”- school board president Robert Farrell discussed ethics opinions being sought; investigations in to past actions of a board member;  and his belief that the superintendent is acting insubortinent.  Since the new board was sworn into office in January, meetings have been dominated by conflict, debate and split votes. Farrell said that there have been any number of occaisions in the past few months where he, or other board members, have directed Superintendent David Cox to pursue a particular course of action- and in some cases he has ignored those directives. Farrell also confirmed that board member David Bohn has requested ethics panal opinions on two possible conflicts of interest for fellow board member Tammy Fraley- including one focusing on her husband who serves as a school resource officer; another one focuses on her families involvement with the Chinese Immersion program. Perhaps the most surprising revelation centers on a report that Dr Cox directed the current head of security Matt Marlowe to investigate a weapons purchase handled by Farrell  years ago when he headed the system’s security operation. He said to date Cox has not replied to inquiries about the nature of the investigation. When contacted for a response to the investigation issue, Dr Cox replied through communications director Mia Cross that he is not at liberty to comment given that there is ongoing litigation involving Farrell, himself and the board of education. Efforts to contact Mrs Fraley were not successful.  All of this occurs on the same week that Board member Wayne Foote is cautioned against witness intimidation in the case to have him removed from the board.