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Unqualified and Overpaid: The Curious Case of FFE's New Directors

Following Kevin Manley's resignation, Findlay City Schools (FCS) took an unconventional approach by hiring two directors to fill a role previously managed by a single teacher:

David Coolidge (47 years old) and his wife, Mary Beth Coolidge.

FYI

David Coolidge is not a licensed teacher, according to the Ohio Department of Education's Educator Search Tool

  • David's professional background, as detailed on FFE's Google Sites website, includes:
    • Fine Arts Specialist for Findlay City Schools
    • Director of the Findlay First Edition show choir
    • Ten years in higher education as Director of Musical Theatre at Ohio Northern and Anderson Universities
    • Nearly twenty-five years as a professional freelance artist (actor, writer, and director)

  • Mary Beth's professional experience, also outlined on the website, features:
    • Assistant Director of Findlay First Edition
    • Operatic performances in Italy and with regional opera companies
    • Faculty positions at multiple universities
    • Masters of Music from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
    • Bachelors of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music
    • Certified teacher of Alexander Technique and Mindfulness

Read Kevin Manley's Rebuttal

This letter was obtained from a source within Findlay City Schools administration and has been transcribed exactly as written to protect the anonymity of the source. Any identifying marks, stamps, or notations from the original document have been intentionally omitted from this publication to maintain confidentiality.

It's worth noting that this rebuttal letter, despite Mr. Manley's explicit request that it be "attached to all copies of the January 15, 2024, Investigator's report," has never been released to the public. Findlay City Schools did not issue an updated version of the Investigation Report that included Mr. Manley's response, effectively keeping his rebuttal private until now.

The full content of the letter, additional documentation and summary follows: