TOLEDO, Ohio — Washington Local Schools Board of Education member Brady Hall pleaded not guilty Thursday to speeding and driving with a suspended license.
He previously pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence in Bowling Green in February.
"It breaks my heart seeing our district portrayed negatively in the news," said board member Lauren Moore. "I think it breaks all of our hearts."
Several board members expressed their disappointment with Hall, 18, at a meeting Wednesday, with Karen Mayfield even suggesting the board would kick him off if it could.
"Because of your bad choices, our board is exposed to jabs at our reputation from every direction and I'm not going to ignore it anymore," Mayfield said.
"The publicity surrounding this latest incident undermines our board's credibility and integrity, and the lack of communication to your fellow board members regarding this latest incident undermines any attempt you hope to gain our trust and lacks the respect and transparency needed for effective leadership," she added.
Hall declined a request for comment from WTOL 11.
Mayfield specifically noted a statement Hall released following his guilty plea, included below:
"Sitting on this board is not only an honor, but a privilege that has been awarded and entrusted to me by the Washington Local Community. And just as I do of my elected officials, I know this community holds a very high standard for those who represent them.
With that being said, I made an incredible mistake, and as a board that represents a youth population such as myself, I am ashamed. This morning, I pleaded guilty to Driving Under the Influence in Bowling Green early Friday morning.
I chose not to contest, argue, or plead, because I understood the consequences of my actions before I made my poor decision, just as I understand them now. The past four days have not been easy, but when making a decision to drive under the influence of alcohol, this is minor compared to the potential of what could have happened.
I appreciate and respect the officer who pulled me over, her profession and the law. From this point forward I commit to both this community, and myself, that I will be the exemplary role model I know I am and can be for this district. I will not be resigning my position on the school board. I do believe I was elected to this position for a reason, and that I have so much more important work to do alongside our board.
I owe an apology to my fellow board members, our superintendent and treasurer, our students and staff, and the community that has elected me. I am sorry. I respect and encourage the vote that has taken place to condone my actions, and with God’s guidance, moving forward I can begin the long process to regain the trust of this community.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to continuing doing what I love: serving this community."
Mayfield says Hall has failed to live up to his promise.
"Once again, it shows that you do not understand that complying with the law is non-negotiable, nor do you appreciate that your choices are a liability and embarrassment to our district, and sadly you do not represent an exemplary role model that we want for our students or district," she said. "Simply put, your actions speak louder than your words, sir."
At the end of her comments, Mayfield addressed the possibility of kicking Hall off the board.
"The law does not allow us to kick out an elected board member," she said. "The voters of this district elected him. That's the process we respect, we're doing what we can this evening by law and the rest is up to him."
Hall was elected in November to serve a four-year term on the board.