2008 Woodie Awards
Changes to Butler Co. child services pending
Allison Cole
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: Community
After months of controversy surrounding the death of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel in August 2006 and a legal process regarding Butler County Children's Services Board executive director Jann Heffner's employment, a decision was reached April 19 to terminate Heffner's contract.
In a decision described by Butler County Children's Services Board public relations director Denise Winkler as made with great regret, the board decided to terminate Heffner's contract without cause, effective May 4.
Winkler said this means that while Heffner did not do anything wrong in her performance or actions, due to political pressure and the impending "redesignation" of the board, it was in their best interest to end the contract.
"The board believes she is one of the best directors," Winkler said.
William S. Newsome, social work program director at Miami University, said that in light of everything that has happened with the board, he hopes that some better measures will be put on children's services boards to prevent an incidents like Fiesel's death in the future.
"Some greater checks and balances need to be in place regarding children's services," Newsome said.
The legal action under which this decision was made comes after Heffner originally submitted her resignation Feb. 16, in the wake of public scrutiny over Fiesel's death.
"She felt she had become a target and a distraction," Winkler said. "She has been the focal point of a great deal of press coverage, and she felt that if she resigned, perhaps the community could move forward."
Winkler said that Jeff Centers, the board's director of finance, was chosen to take over Heffner's position as interim director April 16. Yet the county commissioners - who appoint board members and oversee the hiring of a director at children's services - sent a letter to the board about a month ago discussing redesignation and denying Centers' appointed position.
Winkler explained that the letter was sent shortly after the board had accepted Heffner's resignation. She said that following the acceptance, the board entered into a yearlong contract with Heffner for her consulting services to assist with the transition to a new director.
In a decision described by Butler County Children's Services Board public relations director Denise Winkler as made with great regret, the board decided to terminate Heffner's contract without cause, effective May 4.
Winkler said this means that while Heffner did not do anything wrong in her performance or actions, due to political pressure and the impending "redesignation" of the board, it was in their best interest to end the contract.
"The board believes she is one of the best directors," Winkler said.
William S. Newsome, social work program director at Miami University, said that in light of everything that has happened with the board, he hopes that some better measures will be put on children's services boards to prevent an incidents like Fiesel's death in the future.
"Some greater checks and balances need to be in place regarding children's services," Newsome said.
The legal action under which this decision was made comes after Heffner originally submitted her resignation Feb. 16, in the wake of public scrutiny over Fiesel's death.
"She felt she had become a target and a distraction," Winkler said. "She has been the focal point of a great deal of press coverage, and she felt that if she resigned, perhaps the community could move forward."
Winkler said that Jeff Centers, the board's director of finance, was chosen to take over Heffner's position as interim director April 16. Yet the county commissioners - who appoint board members and oversee the hiring of a director at children's services - sent a letter to the board about a month ago discussing redesignation and denying Centers' appointed position.
Winkler explained that the letter was sent shortly after the board had accepted Heffner's resignation. She said that following the acceptance, the board entered into a yearlong contract with Heffner for her consulting services to assist with the transition to a new director.
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