As Wood County voters weigh their choices this November, a practical question deserves a public answer: as Ryan Lee campaigns for county commissioner while continuing to serve as assistant superintendent at Penta Career Center, can one person actually carry out both jobs at once?
Under Ohio law, the test isn’t whether holding both roles would be convenient. It’s whether it’s physically possible for one person to adequately perform the duties of both. Wood County commissioners are paid a full-time salary of roughly $95,904 for the term beginning in 2027, and it’s reasonable for voters to expect that salary to come with a full-time commitment.
Courthouse employees work 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and commissioner meetings are held at 9 a.m. during that same window, alongside seats on regional boards. Schools generally operate on a similar daytime schedule. Voters deserve to know what hours Mr. Lee’s Penta role requires, whether the district would consider adjustments if he’s elected, and whether he’d need to recuse himself from county matters involving Penta.
Questions like these are the kind a district’s legal counsel or the county prosecutor’s office would typically weigh in on. I’ve seen no indication either has addressed this. Has that review happened, or would either consider doing so before the election?
Theses aren’t questions about Mr. Lee’s character. Dual public service isn’t unusual. But voters deserve clear answers about how this would work in practice.
I would welcome a response from Penta’s board, it’s legal counsel, or Mr. Lee.
Katie Hatcher
Perrysburg
