School official faces OVI, fleeing charges

MINSTER - The president of the Minster Local Schools board of education faces numerous criminal charges including operating a vehicle under the influence and fleeing and eluding authorities following a March 18 traffic stop near his home.

Dale R. Sherman, 48, 8 Settlers Lane, was driving a 2007 Nissan northbound along North Main Street at 3 a.m. when Minster Patrolman Kevin Draiss allegedly spotted the vehicle travel outside the marked lanes of travel.

The police officer reportedly turned on the cruiser's flashing light but Sherman failed to pull over. Instead he drove a short distance to his home and parked the car in the garage. Police records indicate he offered no resistance when placed under arrest.

Sherman was transported to the Auglaize County Jail in Wapakoneta and later released on a $2,000 bond posted by his wife.

In addition to OVI and eluding, Sherman also was charged with obstructing official business as well as marked lanes of travel and turn/stop signal violations.

He entered a not guilty plea later in the day in Auglaize County Municipal Court with Judge Gary Herman combining the charges in both cases and setting a pretrial hearing for 10:30 a.m. April 20.

Court records indicate defense attorney Eric Wilson is seeking a jury trial as well as discovery and evidence in the case.

Sherman, a longtime school board member, was elected president during a January meeting.

The board is not planning any action in regard to the charges facing Sherman, according to comments made by Superintendent Gayl Ray on Tuesday afternoon.