Price tag for Huron Schools’ probe into ‘serious’ staff misconduct: $16K
Newly obtained invoice shows Huron City Schools paid for at least 80 hours of investigative work after getting 'high volume' of employee complaints
HURON — Financial records obtained by StayTunedSandusky.com reveal that the Huron City School District has committed at least $16,000 for the outside firm that investigated “serious” allegations of employee misconduct.
An invoice from Venice Solutions Group, LLC, (VSG) a Hudson-based firm specializing in workplace culture and Title IX compliance, outlines an initial estimate of 80 hours of work at a rate of $200 per hour. The hiring of the firm followed a tumultuous period in May 2025, when school board members and others reported receiving a “high volume” of serious complaints against district employees.
None of the allegations that David Brode, an investigator with VSG and a Portage County prosecutor, were substantiated during his investigation or he was unable to investigate them.
Professional ‘wall’
The district’s decision to hire Venice Solutions Group—led by Tommie Jo Brode, a veteran employment attorney and risk management expert—effectively placed an outside professional between the school board and the investigation. According to the service agreement signed on May 14, 2025 by the superintendent, Venice Solutions was tasked to:
Fact-Find: Serve as the independent “eyes and ears” for the board.
Title IX Oversight: Act as the district’s Title IX Coordinator and Investigator for any claims involving sexual discrimination or harassment.
Liability Reduction: Ensure the process is “objective and with integrity.”
