No decision made on whether to fire Hocking College official

The fate of a top Hocking College official who could lose her job for allegedly falsifying a public record remains in limbo.

According to a news release from the college, "œno decision was made" after a disciplinary conference Friday for Cindy Baden, executive director of the Hocking College Foundation.

Baden has been on paid administrative leave since Oct. 23. HC President Ron Erickson put her on leave, suggesting he may end up firing her, after he allegedly learned that she may have altered the minutes of a meeting involving a college property. The document had been produced in response to a public-records request.

In a letter Erickson sent Baden Oct. 23, Erickson alleged that "there is evidence that in 2006 you falsified a public-records request. The request involved minutes of a meeting regarding Lake Snowden."

The letter also claimed that "there has been a pattern of behavior" on Baden's part that is inexcusable, and that "on multiple occasions you have reported false and inaccurate information."

The Lake Snowden meeting would have involved a controversial proposed development project at Lake Snowden Park, which HC owns.

In the latest release from the college, Erickson said the disciplinary conference gave Baden the chance to respond to issues surrounding the disciplinary action, and that he "will review the information and her response before making my decision."

Baden will continue on paid administrative leave until a decision is made, the release stated. HC has given no indication of when that might occur.

Baden could not be reached for comment.