Silver Falls board affirms superintendent decision on personnel complaint after executive session

After meeting in executive session under Oregon law to consider a personnel complaint, the Silver Falls School District Board of Directors voted to accept the superintendent's decision and declined to schedule a public hearing.

The motion to accept the superintendent's recommendation was made during open session after the board concluded its closed-door deliberations. Board members moved and seconded the motion and then voted by roll call following a recusal by one member. "Board member Orrick was not involved," the chair said during the discussion. The board proceeded with a roll call and the motion carried with the board answering in the affirmative.

The board cited ORS 192.660(2)(b) — which allows a governing body to meet in executive session to consider dismissal, discipline or complaints against a public employee — when it convened in closed session. The chair and administrative staff reported that the nondiscrimination coordinator and the complaining party had provided information to the board while in executive session.

Because the board record shows the board voted to accept the superintendent's decision and to forgo a hearing, no further hearing date was set. The board also noted the recusal of one member during the discussion and used a roll call vote because of that "unique situation," the chair said.

The board did not provide additional details about the subject of the complaint during open session; the meeting record shows the matter had been handled under district policy and that the board followed the administration's recommendation.

The board moved on to routine agenda items after the vote. If district staff publish minutes or a redacted disposition of the complaint, the board will add that to the public record in keeping with applicable privacy and public‑records rules.