Community rallies to director's defense

Findlay First Edition's founder is among those coming forward in support of its current director, Kevin Manley, whom the district put on leave last month pending the outcome of an independent investigation. "I have known and worked with Kevin Manley for over 30 years and can say without hesitation that he is one of the finest and most conscientious people I know," former choral director and Findlay First Edition founder James "J.D." Smith posted to a social media site late Wednesday. The school district placed Manley on administrative leave Nov. 12 and asked an educational services agency to conduct a comprehensive investigation of issues regarding "student behavior" and the "culture" of the show choir program. Public records provided by the school district to The Courier in response to records requests do not provide any other description of the behavior or concerns about the culture of the program that triggered the investigation. Smith said Manley's top priority is the well-being of students. "He expects the best from his students and in return treats them with care and understanding," Smith, who said he hoped the investigation gets wrapped up quickly, wrote in the post. Show of support A substitute is covering Manley's duties until further notice and, in the meantime, students, parents and colleagues are rallying in support of Manley on social media. Comments on Facebook describe the director as a "respected staple in education," "one of the most dedicated teachers" and a "very nice guy." Many supporters have shared memories and changed their social media profile pictures to ones featuring Manley with his students and from performances. Smith retired from the district in 2005 after 21 years. Manley was a student teacher who worked with Smith prior to being hired in 1992. When Smith retired he recommended Manley be appointed director. Mandy Tiech, a speech pathologist at Jefferson Primary, wrote in a Facebook post Manley was one in a million. "I could probably bet that not many of your children have a teacher who is willing to write over 30 letters of recommendation for your child for college," Tiech wrote. "This teacher has provided a safe space at school." What happened? The investigation stems from reports "regarding student behavior and the culture of our Findlay First Edition program that do not align with our values and expectations for our students," Superintendent Andy Hatton said. He said the reports don't involve inappropriate boundaries with Manley and students, and the district could not estimate how long the investigation will take. While the district won't provide any details about the current investigation, a previous investigation into the show choir alleged problems with hazing. A letter in Manley's disciplinary file from former assistant superintendent Troy Roth, obtained by public records request, said Manley failed to provide proper supervision of students involved in Findlay First Edition after students reported questionable behavior. The letter, dated Jan. 17, 2019, alleged students performed a "naked dance" at two events and while at a summer party, students handed roses to new female members and underwear to new male members. Roth said students are "subject to the extracurricular code of conduct" and Manley is responsible for supervising his students and should have made "appropriate referrals for disciplinary action under the extracurricular code of conduct." Manley was directed to take a hazing course following the 2019 investigation. Hazing is defined as "doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization," according to the Ohio Revised Code. The ORC also states no teacher shall permit the hazing of any person associated with the organization. The Findlay City Schools handbook states students "may not engage in hazing/bullying." But parents, and Smith, disagree with Roth. One parent asked how Manley can be at fault if he is not at the events where incidents occurred. Another parent said Manley has no control over kids when they're at home, and said it was a job for parents. "Former administrators believed students should be monitored by the director 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I would suggest that is not possible," Smith wrote in the post. The district said they retained the Educational Services Center of Central Ohio to conduct the investigation. The district has not yet provided records stating what, specifically, triggered the request for an independent investigation. The center said they do not have documents indicating the reason for the investigation.