Gresko Had 'Incentive or Motive' to Improve Job Performance
The head football coach at Cardinal High School is under criminal investigation for allegedly tampering with the grades of students in other teachers’ classes.
This article has been updated from the original online version published June 10 to include new information regarding the allegations against George Gresko.
The head football coach at Cardinal High School is under criminal investigation for allegedly tampering with the grades of students in other teachers’ classes.
About a dozen visitors spoke up at the June 9 Cardinal Schools Board of Education meeting — some in tears — in support of George Gresko, who, under an annual supplemental contract, has been head football coach at Cardinal for two years, as well as a success coach/alternative learning supervisor.
Cardinal Schools Superintendent Bill Kermavner was silent during the meeting, but in a June 11 email, he said Gresko is currently under investigation by the district and Middlefield Police Department.
“Mr. Gresko has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Due to the ongoing investigation, the district is unable to comment any further at this time,” he said.
On Monday, in response to an additional request for information, Kermavner said an “improvement plan” had been put in place earlier this year related to Gresko’s job performance. He acknowledged Gresko had an “incentive or motive” to improve students’ academic performance.
Middlefield Village Police Chief Joe Tucholski said during two phone interviews the school district asked the department March 17 to investigate a “teacher that was changing grades in other teachers’ classes.”
Tucholski said the case was assigned to Detective Steve Boxler.
About a month ago, Gresko’s laptop and cell phone were taken into evidence, he said, adding the case was turned over to Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz about two weeks ago.
Tucholski said he understands there will be a hearing by the Cardinal Schools Board of Education.
Charges against Gresko will be determined by the grand jury, Flaiz said June 10.
“The case was submitted to our office by Middlefield PD for grand jury consideration. It will likely be presented to the grand jury this month,” he said.
During the June 9 meeting, the school board was set to hire assistant coach Chris Perrotti as head coach for the 2021-2022 school year on a supplemental athletic contract starting Aug. 1, 2021.
There was no reference to Gresko on the agenda, but visitors to the meeting had concerns stemming from a letter football team members’ parents received from Athletic Director Jimmy Soltis saying Gresko would not be returning as head coach and Perrotti would be head football coach next year.
During an open hearing of the public, Seth Klepper said he feels Gresko is leaving “…for reasons the public doesn’t know.”
“I feel like we deserve a reason for this,” he said, adding no one knows what the charges might be against Gresko.
Klepper, a former football coach, said he has witnessed a big increase in interest among Cardinal students using the gym to work out and join a football team since Gresko became coach.
“I’ve never seen anybody have more of an impact on a school district. You are going to lose a valuable asset,” Klepper told the board. “Kids just gravitate to him.”
He recommended the board table the action naming Perrotti as head coach until the investigation is complete.
Kristal Cowle, the mother of a Cardinal student, was in tears as she praised Gresko for his dedication and for being a positive role model. She recalled what he said during a meeting that included parents.
“He said, ‘My goal is to have them leave here as strong, moral men. It doesn’t matter what they do on the field, it matters what they do off the field,’” she quoted Gresko, adding when her son missed practice, the coach reached out to her to make sure everything was alright at home.
“Don’t punish these boys by taking their coach,” Cowle said. “I don’t know what he did. You are taking someone from them who genuinely cares.”
Kim Dolman, listed on the agenda to be top assistant for the Cardinal girls basketball team, verbally attacked the board, asking what evidence they have against Gresko.
“You guys are pushing somebody out for no reason whatsoever,” she said. “We want answers. We pay the taxes. You aren’t giving us answers.”
Board President Ken Klima remained stoic.
“This board will not respond or give answers or explanations. This is not a public debate,” he said.
Chere Fenselon, who identified herself as a taxpayer, said her family raises money for the kids and the schools.
“You want us to support a levy? We’re asking for some respect in return. I don’t feel we are getting any of that,” she said.
Disturbed the meeting had become very confrontational, board member Katie Thomas spoke up.
“I’m going to break the rules. My concern is obviously for the kids,” she said. “The school board’s priority is to do what’s best for the children and maintain a fiscally sound school. As far as I know, there’s not an answer to the investigation. The things being said are serious and they’re concerning. And we can’t just look away.”
“We’re asking you to trust the process,” added board member Wendy Anderson.
Cowle said she understands if Gresko is guilty, he should be fired.
“If he’s guilty, he should be punished for that,” she said, adding she also understands the positive impact he has had on the community.
John Nagle was also concerned about the effect the situation is having on students.
“We teach our kids that we’re innocent until proven guilty and I don’t think that’s what’s happened here,” he said. “It’s the American way, innocent until proven guilty.”
Fenselon said she doubted the system.
“You are asking us to trust a process that has failed us so many times. The process has never worked,” Fenselon said.
“None of this makes sense — it’s a witch hunt,” said Klepper, adding he works on the Cardinal Athletic Boosters’ Joe Peters Memorial Pig Roast. The event raises funds to help Cardinal students cover athletic fees and includes raffling off a Kia Sportage donated by Preston Superstore this year.
“I want this resolved. I want the best for Cardinal. There needs to be a unity between us,” Thomas said. “That you came out here tonight with passion, that’s important, and we need to recognize that.”
She proposed the board table the agenda item naming Perrotti as head coach.
“I would like to see the investigation play out,” she said, adding that would be the right time to release the information.
“I think it’s only fair,” she said. “If I’m doing the wrong thing, shoot me.”
The board voted unanimously to remove Perrotti’s name from the list of supplemental contracts, but agreed to be discuss making him the interim football coach as the legal process spins out.
“I think that was an excellent suggestion,” Kermavner said.
Gresko did not return calls seeking comment.
Editor John Karlovec and staff writers Jamie Ward and Hannah Lewandoski contributed to this article.
