Windham – The entire community of Windham was disappointed that someone they entrusted their children to has allegedly betrayed them. On Monday, April 22, 2019, the Portage County Grand Jury indicted Superintendent Laura Amero on six charges involving students. Amero was charged with two counts of sexual battery, two counts of attempted sexual battery and two counts of intimidation of a crime witness.
On April 2, 2019, just two months and one day after she began as superintendent, the Windham Board of Education (BOE) put Amero on paid administrative leave for unspecified reasons. It was later learned that they had placed her on leave due to being notified of an investigation by the Windham Police Department against Laura Amero.
The allegations stem from when Amero was principal of the Windham Exempted Village Jr./Sr. High School. The one male student who is now 18 years old, says the allegations happened between February 2017-May 2017. Another male student, who is now 19 years old, says that Amero tried to engage him into sexual activities between September 2015 and May 1st. The intimidation charges comes from on or around March 28 ,2019 where Amero is accused of trying to intimidate someone who is involved in this case from filing charges against her.
Amero was held at the Portage County Jail until Monday afternoon, when she was arraigned through video and then released after posting $350,000 bond. She is required to stay away from the victims and all minor children as part of the arraignment.
Windham Board of Education released the following statement. “The Windham Exempted Village Schools Board of Education learned this morning that Superintendent Laura Amero of the Windham Exempted Village School District was indicted by the Portage County Grand Jury on multiple counts.” The release also stated that due to the on-going investigation, any questions concerning Ms. Amero should be directed to the prosecutor’s office.
The district scheduled a special meeting on Wednesday April 24 ,2019 at 7am to further discuss her employment status. At this meeting, the BOE called the meeting to order and immediately went into executive session for about 15 minutes to discuss their next move. They returned from executive session and voted unanimously to suspend Ms. Amero without pay during the investigation. Due to the suspension, Ms. Amero will not be permitted on school grounds or attend any school activities. Also, the interim Superintendent, Gregg Isler is required to notify the Ohio Department of Education about her suspension and notify Amero in writing as well.
School board President Darryl McGuire addressed the media after the meeting and according to McGuire, the BOE has done all it can do about Ms. Amero’s employment status, until she has gone through due process or officially resigns. He also stated that as far as they (BOE) knew, there hasn’t been any one else to come forward with more complaints against Amero.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for the end of May.
• Note, several attempts were made to reach the Windham Police Department and the Portage County Prosecutor’s office for more information and neither entity returned the calls.
