LISBON — The 42-year old Lisbon man who worked as a substitute teacher in Columbiana County and is facing felony charges related to minors was swiftly terminated from his employment with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center (ESC).

ESC Superintendent Marie Williams said during the June Board of Education meeting that John McFarland’s contract was terminated on May 22 and a report was filed with the state Board of Education, according to meeting minutes posted on the ESC website.

The ESC initially suspended McFarland and placed him on administrative leave on May 21 when the ESC was first made aware of the allegations against him.

Williams said during the most recent board meeting that a certified letter sent to McFarland regarding the termination was returned and that the district is continuing to attempt to reach him.

“We’ll be moving forward to make sure it is sent in the mail,” she said.

McFarland is currently out of jail after posting the $75,000 cash or surety bond, with conditions that he is to have no contact with any minors, no electronic devices capable of accessing the Internet and to have no firearms.

His case has been bound over to the Grand Jury.

McFarland’s charges include second-degree felony pandering obscenity, which is creating, producing or publishing materials for commercial exploitation; fourth-degree felony pandering obscenity, which is buying procuring, or possessing obscene material; and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia. He was accused of allegedly possessing numerous videos depicting children being sexually assaulted and engaging in sexual activity and conduct on May 21 in Center Township and possessing a methamphetamine pipe.

According to previous reports, McFarland was hired as a paraprofessional by the ESC and served as part of a classroom team until November 2024, transitioning to substitute paraeducator in January 2025. Williams previously said he worked in ESC unit classrooms staffed by ESC teachers and staff in Salem City Schools at Reilly Elementary, the ESC unit at Knox Elementary and the ESC Opportunity School. She said he also subbed once in Leetonia, a few times at Salem Southeast and once at Salem Buckeye, but was not left alone with students and had completed all the required background checks.

Board of Education member Richard Stoudt thanked Williams for how the situation was handled.

“Thank you to Marie for being so professional and proactive in handling the McFarland situation,” he said. “Many in the community have commented on how well it was managed.”