The political saga that was has ended after Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell announced last week that he will not seek charges against the Franklin City Schools Superintendent for impermissible political activities.
Superintendent Arnol Elam had previously used district to funds to send home a letter criticizing Governor John Kasich’s proposed education budget and asking parents to boot the governor and his supporters out of office. Fornshell then consider filing charges against Elam.
That’s when the Ohio Democratic Party got involved by filing a public records request with Warren County to determine if there had been contact between Fornshell and the governor’s office, thereby turning the letter into a partisan affair.
This week, Elam reimbursed the district for the cost of sending the letter. In turn, Fornshell announced that he would not seek charges. Elam sent another letter home with students explaining his course of action.
Thus, the matter would appear to be closed, but it is not likely the last time voters will hear about it. Nothing came of the public records request and it does not appear Democrats had any evidence suggesting collusion between Fornshell and Kasich’s people. It will not be surprising to see the charge levied in ads during next year’s gubernatorial campaign. The seriousness of the charge would appear to fit well into a 30-second campaign spot.
As for now, the budget battle returns to the substance of the budget itself.
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