File photo Martins Ferry City Schools Treasurer Karen Blake appears at a past board of education meeting. Blake submitted her resignation after more than a year of paid leave, but she will continue to be paid until Dec. 31, 2021. The board of education signed the agreement Thursday.

MARTINS FERRY — After being on paid leave for more than a year, Karen Blake has resigned as Martins Ferry City School District treasurer but will continue to draw her pay and benefits until Dec. 31, 2021.

On Thursday, board members Dorothy Powell, Scott Ballint, and Brian McFarland voted in favor of the arrangement with Blake while member Bill Suto opposed it. Board member Nick Stankovich was absent.

Blake had been placed on paid administrative in July 2018. No explanation for the leave has been provided by the board or administration. After the meeting Thursday, Superintendent Jim Fogle declined to comment.

“I’m not going to discuss personnel at this time,” he said, noting the district will continue utilizing Dana Garrison as an interim treasurer until the board fills the position. “There’ll be a timeline that’ll be determined by the school board as to when that replacement is hired.”

After the agreement was approved, Blake spoke to The Times Leader.

“They did an agreement with me that I signed off on that I would be put on paid administrative leave, which I’ve been on for the last year and two months, until I reach age 67,” Blake said. “I’m on paid administrative leave with full salary, full benefits, retirement. I get paid vacation, raises, just like I’m working until I reach age 67. The only thing is, I cannot sue them for any type of harassment, sexual or bullying, or anything unethical and illegal that I have found over the years.”

According to the agreement, Blake and the board agree to release each other from all liability and damages arising out of Blake’s employment. The agreement also specifies that Blake will hold the title of assistant treasurer, but she will not be required to report for work.

“I did have to change my title to assistant treasurer, in name only, because they need to hire a treasurer and they can’t hire one if I’m still listed as treasurer,” she said, adding that her benefits and pay will remain the same for the duration of the agreement.

Blake said she earns $115,000 a year, not including benefits.

Blake also said that she is able to speak about her experiences as treasurer and chose to do so. Blake said she began working as treasurer in 2011 and found improprieties in district operations. She also said there had been a lack of cooperation with her records requests during her time as treasurer.

Fogle did not comment when offered the opportunity to respond to Blake’s claims.

The agreement between Blake and the board refers to an age discrimination claim, which was settled by the resignation.

Blake said she has notified state agencies of her allegations regarding district operations.

“I’ve turned over all of my records to the proper authorities,” she wrote in an email.

Belmont County Prosecutor Dan Fry said there are no current investigations of the school district through his office. Spokesmen for the Ohio Auditor’s Department, the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Ethics Commission would neither confirm nor deny whether any investigation of the district is ongoing or pending.

The next board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10.