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Parents and alumni press Boone County board on personnel concerns; board points them to HR and legal limits
Summary
During public comment dozens of speakers defended a long-serving program leader and raised concerns about school culture and student mental health; board legal counsel and the chair reiterated that personnel matters cannot be discussed at a public meeting and directed commenters to submit concerns to the director of human resources.
A large group of parents, alumni and students used the audience of citizens period at the Boone County Board of Education's March meeting to defend a long-serving school program leader and to urge the district to address concerns about school culture and student mental health.
Speakers including Darren Alexander, Amanda Johnson, Austin Alexander and several current and former students described the leader as a "maker of men," praised a culture of family and support, and said the program has been a stabilizing influence for vulnerable students. "This man is a pillar of stability," one commenter said.
Board legal counsel Olivia told the room that Kentucky statute and privacy rules prevent the board from discussing personnel matters at a public meeting until final action has occurred. "Every personnel decision in this district rests with the superintendent of schools," Olivia said, adding that board members can face ethical sanctions for interfering in personnel decisions. The chair and other board members reiterated that any personnel-related concerns should be submitted to Eric Ball, the district's director of human resources.
Several commenters criticized the process for filing concerns and asked whether the district's responses were timely. The board and staff reiterated they would accept written complaints through the human resources office and said the superintendent would consider them during any personnel process, but they would not discuss individual personnel matters in open session.
The remarks took place in the audience-of-citizens portion of the meeting; no personnel action or board discussion of specific employment decisions occurred during the session.
