Horseheads board debates bringing legal counsel to public meeting after member alleges bullying; session adjourned

Horseheads Central School District Board of Education members spent a special March 10 meeting arguing over whether to have the district’s legal counsel attend while one board member raised allegations of bullying and of improper restrictions on asking financial questions. The board did not vote to add counsel tonight; the superintendent said he will contact the attorney to find available dates and the board adjourned.

The meeting opened with a motion that legal counsel attend any discussion of “board ethics and violations, board operation, and treatment of others.” The motion was seconded, and board members then debated whether a special meeting called for that purpose fit district policy and whether the public forum was the right setting to air allegations. One board member said she would file a formal complaint if the board did not address her concerns.

The dispute centered on procedure as well as substance. Several members cited Board Policy 2300 (and accompanying citations to policy sections discussed in the meeting) to argue that a special meeting should…