Parents and residents ask board to strengthen ethics disclosure after text-message records

Several residents and parents used the board’s public-comment time to press for stronger ethics and disclosure practices after public-records requests showed text exchanges among board members during a September meeting.

Brad Comerford, who said he obtained text-message records via a public-records request, told the board that a text from a board member contained the single word “fake” and was sent during a September 18 meeting while another speaker was addressing the board. “This raises several questions in my mind,” Comerford said, asking why the exchange was not disclosed during the subsequent investigation and whether board members had fully reported the messages to investigators.

Other public speakers echoed concerns about impartiality and transparency. Dee Jackson said messaging among board members has undermined trust at a time when families may be asked for additional funds. “Things like detective messaging with a teacher in a very inappropriate manner undermines that trust,” Jackson said. Heather Burgess said she signed a petition calling for termination of a board employee and described prior discipline and a grievance that she said contradicted public letters stating that an incident was a first offense.

Dr. DeShawn Pasha urged the board to consider adopting a formal conflict-of-interest disclosure policy requiring members to announce potential conflicts at the start of every public or executive-session meeting. “By implementing this policy, we’ll strengthen the integrity of the board’s action and further build confidence among parents, students, administrators, and the broader community,” Pasha said.

Why it matters: Callers said the records and prior discipline referenced in public comments raise questions about whether board members complied with district ethics policies and whether the community was given complete information during the earlier investigation.

What was requested and not decided: Speakers asked the board to (1) consider requiring disclosures at the start of every meeting, (2) publicize timelines for training and other remedies referenced in recently adopted resolutions, and (3) report which board members had self-reported to the Ohio Ethics Commission and to post campaign-contribution disclosures. The board did not adopt a new disclosure rule at the meeting; members agreed to revisit policies and to provide updates but did not set specific publication dates on the record.

Authorities and policies noted on the record: public commenters cited the district’s board-member ethics policies (referred to in public comments as “policy BBS” and “policy BBF” in the transcript) and pointed to prior personnel actions described in an investigative file. The speakers asked that the board clarify which policies apply and make the timeline of remedial actions public.

Next steps: Multiple speakers requested that the board return to the issue with specific timelines and documentation. Board members acknowledged the concerns and said they would consider follow-up; the board did not vote on new ethics or disclosure rules at this meeting.