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East Chicago trustees spar over cancelled student trip to Chicago marathon; motions to censure raised
Summary
Trustees and community members clashed over the district's cancellation of a student volunteer trip to the Chicago Marathon, with trustee leaders alleging policy violations by a fellow trustee and moving to censure him; the board did not vote on formal discipline at the meeting.
Trustees of the School City of East Chicago on Oct. 14 debated the district's decision to cancel a planned student volunteer trip to the Chicago Marathon and whether a board member violated district policies while organizing the trip.
The dispute began after Superintendent (name not specified in the transcript) canceled the trip on Oct. 10, saying he "did not feel comfortable sending students and staff on any trip where we could not a 100% guarantee their safety," according to trustee remarks during the Oct. 14 meeting.
The cancellation prompted public comment both for and against the superintendent's decision. Taikia Wright, a parent, told trustees she supported the cancellation: "The students and staff, safety are supposed to be the most important." Diana Darden, another speaker, said the decision was appropriate in the current climate and criticized how the cancellation was discussed on social media.
Trustee Jesse Gomez, who helped recruit students and adults for the event, publicly criticized the cancellation on social media, calling the district's action "cowardly," according to remarks read into the record by other trustees. Trustee Jesse Gomez also sought district transportation and posted point-of-contact details for volunteers, which other trustees said were distributed without prior administrative approvals.
Trustee Jesse Taylor and Trustee Jesse Rodriguez (last names in transcript) both described a timeline in which sign-ups and requests for transportation were active as late as Oct. 7 and Oct. 8, with approximately 40 students and four adults reported as registered to attend. Rodriguez said the trip lacked signed permission slips and administrative approval four days before the event.
At the Oct. 14 meeting Trustee Rodriguez outlined what he characterized as multiple policy violations tied to the episode, citing policy numbers the district uses for visitor controls, field trips, public expression by board members and board-staff communications. He moved that the board formally censure Trustee Jesse Gomez for "conduct inconsistent with the responsibilities of this office and ethical standards of this body." Trustee Taylor seconded the motion.
The board did not vote on the proposed censure or on a separate motion to remove Gomez from the policy committee. Board counsel said the matters were not on the meeting agenda and would need to be placed on a future agenda for formal action. "It will be addressed, but it has to be in a proper setting," the attorney said.
Trustees also debated whether a board member's on-site interactions with staff and public comments to news outlets and social media were consistent with policy. Trustee Rodriguez said the actions "overstepped board governance boundaries and undermine[d] administrative authority." Trustee Gomez declined to answer during the meeting record beyond his earlier social posts cited by colleagues.
Public speakers urged clarity and consistency. Taikia Wright asked why the cancellation became a news story and said she supported prioritizing student safety. Diana Darden urged trustees to avoid escalating disputes on social media and to center student needs.
The board president and counsel said the board would handle any formal discipline or committee assignments in accordance with proper procedure at a subsequent meeting. No formal disciplinary action was taken at the Oct. 14 meeting.
Why this matters: Trustees emphasized that field trips, transportation and volunteer coordination must follow district protocols, including signed permission slips and administrative approval. Trustees also warned that unilateral actions or public statements by individual members can expose the district to safety and governance risks and quickly draw media attention.
Looking ahead: Trustees indicated they will place proposed discipline and committee assignment changes on a future agenda for formal consideration; the board's next regular meeting was scheduled for Oct. 28 at Harrison Elementary School.
