Naperville Board votes 6-1 to censure member Kelly Black over repeated conduct complaints

The Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Board of Education voted Monday to approve a resolution censuring board member Melissa Kelly Black for conduct the board described as “unprofessional” and detrimental to the district.

The resolution, taken up under agenda item 10.01, passed on a roll call vote of 6-1. Board members Joe Kosminski, Amanda McMillan, Mark Wilenski, Christine Gerke, Holly Blastic and Charles Cush voted in favor; Kelly Black voted no.

Board leadership framed the measure as a last step after two years of efforts to address repeated breaches of board policies, the board’s code of conduct and agreements the board adopted. President Charles Cush said the board had worked with the Illinois Association of School Boards and pursued progressive steps, including an earlier censure this year and a private letter in April.

Board members who spoke in support described repeated incidents, including public social-media posts and disclosures the board said concerned confidential bargaining or closed-session matters. Amanda McMillan said the board’s work depends on trust and cohesion and called some of Black’s public statements “mischaracterizations of board processes.” Mark Wilenski said the action was taken reluctantly but was necessary to reaffirm expectations for board conduct.

Kelly Black read a prepared statement disputing the censure, calling the resolution “procedurally improper, possibly legally unsound, and unconstitutional.” She said she had raised questions about transparency, finances and collective bargaining and argued those were matters of public concern protected by the First Amendment. “Transparency and oversight are not misconduct,” Black said, adding she had asked for an independent investigation by the regional office of education or the State Board of Education.

Several board members responded that the board’s duty also requires protecting confidential information and following agreed procedures for debate and dissent. Christine Gerke said board members must “commit to self monitoring” and adhere to the board’s policies and agreements. In closing remarks, Cush said the board regretted the necessity of the action but said it was taken to uphold the board’s fiduciary duties.

The censure does not remove a board member from office; it is an official reprimand recorded in the board’s public files. Board members noted that other remedies (including referral to outside authorities) remain available if warranted. The text of the resolution and supporting materials were entered into the public record and are available in the district’s BoardDocs files.

The board moved immediately to other agenda items after the vote.

Ending

The measure formalizes a reprimand by the board but does not, by itself, remove or suspend the member. Kelly Black said she would seek outside review; board members said they expect to move forward with district business.