ROSSFORD, OH (WTOL) -After a two-month investigation Rossford High School’s Athletic Director and Assistant Principal, Patrick Murtha, resigned Monday.
The Rossford Schools Board unanimously approved his resignation and transition agreement.
While the board and superintendent declined on-camera interviews, they did provide details into what sparked the investigation.
It was three students who brought complaints of misconduct against Patrick Murtha in February.
The district placed him on administrative leave on February 8 as they investigated.
In the statement released by Rossford Schools it was explained the investigation was conducted under its Anti-Harassment Policy. It said Murtha did not engage in sexual harassment as defined in that policy, but he did engage in inappropriate conduct, including unwanted touching of students’ hair and or shoulders.
Documents released by the district show that Patrick Murtha denied any wrong doing and resigned before any disciplinary proceedings.
Murtha was investigated in 2004 by the Ohio Department of Education for similar conduct while working at Athens City Schools where he was prior to Rossford.
The district stated that those investigations are confidential until complete. They explained that Mr. Murtha was disciplined by ODE in September of 2004 after he was hired at Rossford.
While Martha has resigned and is no longer working, his contract with the district continues until July 31. According to public records, he was making an annual salary of about $91,686.
Superintendent Dan Creps said in their statement that “given the circumstances it was in the best interest of our students and the district to reach an agreement to part ways."
The board also unanimously approved a transition agreement Monday. That agreement stated that there is no record of disciplinary nature in his personnel file. Murtha still has access to the boards property and they will provide a letter of reference.
School leaders said the current high school principal will take over Patrick Murtha’s duties for the remainder of the year as the board searches for his replacement.