Area superintendent placed on leave after charges of child abuse, battery

RICHMOND — Jim Reece, Central Heights superintendent, has been placed on paid administrative leave until May 23.

The Central Heights Board of Education placed Reece on leave during a special meeting Thursday, Ron Sluder, board president said.

Reece has been with charged child abuse, aggravated battery and aggravated intimidation of a victim involving a 14-year-old girl Tuesday. He was released from jail on bond.

“It’s a bad situation and the board took the action that it could,” Sluder said. “The process worked.”

Reece made a first appearance in Franklin County District Court Wednesday and will be back in court Monday, according to a prosecutor with the Franklin County Attorney’s office.