Board president condemns 'deceptive' fake Facebook accounts; legal review found insufficient evidence of policy violation

Board President Beth Wyman on Feb. 12 told the Oshkosh Area School Board meeting she was addressing "fake Facebook profiles" created by people linked to the district and said the conduct had damaged public trust and created community division.

Wyman said the district's legal review, conducted under board policy 0144.5, "found insufficient evidence of a policy violation as described in the complaint." She added that while the conduct "may not have been illegal, but they were deceitful," and said Wisconsin law limits a board's power to remove elected members.

The president outlined the board's options for removing an elected member and noted statutory limits: removal of a school board member, she said, requires resignation, a recall election, or a county circuit court action. She emphasized that board policies focus on conduct during official meetings and activities and said the district will continue to expect professional and ethical behavior from board members.

Wyman addressed community concern that the accounts had been active for more than two years and urged more direct, authentic public engagement.

The remarks drew later public comment both supporting Wyman's call for integrity and urging action; no formal disciplinary motion was presented at the meeting and the board did not vote on any sanction.

Ending: Wyman said the board is committed to regaining public trust and to open, direct engagement with the community while following law and policy.