“Ms. Williams-Bolar was faced with a no more difficult situation than any other working parent who must ensure that their children are safe during, before, and after school hours in their absence,’’ it said in its unanimous ruling. “Most parents find legitimate and legal options to address this issue. Ms. Williams-Bolar’s only response was to be deceitful.’’
The board also rejected Williams-Bolar’s arguments that her conviction harmed her future plans, noting that she has hardly made the efforts necessary to obtain a degree to teach.
Williams-Bolar had told the parole board in July that she was remorseful for lying and would do things differently if given the chance.
“I love my kids and I would have done anything for my children,’’ an emotional Williams-Bolar told the board.
An attorney for Williams-Bolar said yesterday that he was disappointed but confident that Governor John Kasich, who has the final say, will see things differently.
“Justice will ultimately prevail,’’ David Singleton said in an e-mail.
Prosecutors defended the felony charges, saying Williams-Bolar willingly broke the law by using her father’s address and misrepresenting other information on school documents for the nearby Copley-Fairlawn district. Officials there challenged her girls’ residency in 2007, when they were 9 and 13.
Brad Gessner, Summit County’s chief assistant prosecutor, told the parole board that Williams-Bolar engaged in a pattern of deception when it came to falsifying documents. Gessner said she had options when school officials questioned her about her residency, but instead changed her address on her driver’s license and bank and employment documents.
Williams-Bolar’s older daughter attends a public high school in Akron. Her younger daughter received a voucher to attend a private middle school. Williams-Bolar continues to work as a teacher’s assistant at Akron public schools.
