Nancy Nestor-Baker, a Westerville City Schools Board of Education member, could face felony charges after she voted on contracts and a one-time payment for her daughter, an employee of the school.

The issue came to light during an August 11th board meeting when Board President Tracy Davidson announced that the Ohio Ethics Commission had been informed about several votes Nestor-Baker made regarding her daughter’s employment. These votes, which included contracts and a one-time payment, could potentially violate state nepotism laws.

Caley Baker, Nestor-Baker’s daughter, has been with the district since 2007 and is currently the principal of Hanby Elementary. The votes in question span several years and include:

– A one-time payment in June 2018
– Adoption of a two-year contract in May 2019
– Approval of a three-year contract in May 2023

Under Ohio law, elected officials are prohibited from participating in decisions that affect the employment of family members. Violation of these nepotism laws can result in fourth-degree felony charges, carrying a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Nestor-Baker has retained legal counsel and states that she has “followed [Ethics Commission guidance] to the best of her ability.” Her attorney, Mark Weaver, emphasized that in instances where Nestor-Baker voted on group employee matters that included her daughter, “the vote was unanimous and her abstention would not have changed the result.”

The school board, for its part, is committed to transparency. Board Vice President Kristina Meyer stated, “The fact that our board identified the potential issue, worked with legal counsel on the proper steps to address it, and then self-reported the matter to the appropriate state agency should indicate to our constituents that we are taking this matter seriously.”

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education has promised to keep the public informed about the Ohio Ethics Commission’s process.

Nestor-Baker’s daughter is now the principal of Hanby Elementary, but has been with the district since 2007. The Ohio Ethics Commission has been informed about several votes that member Nancy Nestor-Baker made regarding her daughter’s employment at the district.

Nestor-Baker said she has her own attorney and that there were times she thought it was improper to vote and times she believed it was proper to vote.

[ Columbus Dispatch Article ]