Former Clark County director says she was forced to resign

Kim Deniston, former Clark County information system director, says she was forced to resign. Bill Lackey/Staff

Kim Deniston, former Clark County information system director, says she was forced to resign. Bill Lackey/Staff

A former Clark County director says she was forced to resign after being placed on administrative leave earlier this month.

Kim Deniston, the county’s Director of Information Systems since 1998, was placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation on March 3, according to a letter from Clark County Administrator Jenny Hutchinson placed in Deniston’s personnel file.

“I was forced (to resign),” she said. “It’s administrative. It had nothing to do with anything I did.”

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Deniston was told by administration it wanted to make a managerial change, she said. As part of a settlement agreement, Deniston will receive full pay and benefits through April 28, she said. At that time, Deniston will resign, she said.

The investigation centered around not her performance, but her department’s performance, she said.

“If they had a problem with someone in my department, I got dinged for it,” Deniston said.

Hutchinson declined to provide details on the situation when reached by phone.

“We don’t want to comment on any personnel matters,” Hutchinson said.

This news organization made a public records request for investigatory records, but Hutchinson said verbal interviews were completed as part of the process and no documentation was kept.

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County Commissioners Lowell McGlothin and Rick Lohnes also declined to comment last week.

Deniston made $87,456 in 2015, according to public records. Deniston’s hourly pay rate this year was $43.82, according to her personnel file.

In 2015, Clark County Commissioners received a letter thanking Deniston for her participation in the Commissioners Association of Ohio County Risk Sharing Authority Cyber Security Panel, according to her personnel file.

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“Kim’s vast knowledge and willingness to help out was invaluable to our members and our program,” wrote CORSA Underwriting Manager Sherry Barbosky.

Deniston exceeded expectations in her most recent evaluation in July of 2010.

“Basically, a solid, competent director with strong I/T skills,” the evaluation said. “She is professional in how she handles sensitive issues and demonstrates the ability to take constructive criticism well.”

Deniston’s former job has already been posted on the county’s website.

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