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Board votes to table request for district staff guidance to be posted publicly, sets review to be scheduled
Summary
A board motion directing the superintendent to publish staff, faculty and administration guidance and handbooks on the district website was added to the agenda by board members but tabled for a future meeting. Supporters sought immediate transparency; others said administration needs time to prepare the materials.
Members of the RSU 52 Board added a late agenda item asking the superintendent to post all staff, faculty and administrative guidance and handbooks on the district website. After discussion, the board voted to table the motion so the superintendent and board leadership could prepare and present the materials at a future meeting.
The addition to the agenda was proposed by Board member Anthony Shostak and seconded; the motion to add the item had carried earlier in the meeting. During new-business discussion, several board members said they support transparency but were not prepared to debate or approve publication without reviewing the specific documents. Vice chair Peter Ricker and other members asked for time for administration to assemble the relevant documents and suggested bringing the item back when staff could present and answer questions.
Supporters of immediate posting argued the public and board should be able to see guidance that effectively governs staff behavior. Opponents said some materials are in draft, some are guidance rather than formal policy, and the superintendent needs time to ensure materials are appropriate for public posting and do not disclose confidential personnel information.
The motion to table went forward so Carrie (the superintendent) and board leadership could determine the earliest meeting at which they could present a complete set of materials and recommend next steps. The board did not specify a hard deadline at the meeting; board leadership will schedule the review in a forthcoming agenda.
