St Helens School District board rescinds earlier action, approves acting-superintendent contract and names Karen Gray signatory

St Helens School District Board members voted to rescind a previous January action that approved an acting-superintendent contract, approved a replacement contract for the acting superintendent and passed a separate resolution to name Acting Superintendent Karen Gray as an official district signatory.

The board rescinded the Jan. 30, 2025, approval because the action was not properly posted for public notice, then approved a new contract for the acting superintendent and adopted a resolution designating Gray as a district signer.

Board Chair (name not specified) told the public that the earlier approval was a posting error and not evidence of a hidden agenda, saying, "that was just an error." The chair introduced action item 3.1 to rescind the Jan. 30, 2025 action and explained the need to correct the public record. Acting Superintendent Karen Gray described a board policy that requires a formal board resolution to designate the superintendent as an authorized signer for payroll and contracts, saying the policy requires "that the board pass a resolution, to make the superintendent the signer." Gray also said her contract describes she will "do all the duties of an executive office," and asked the board to add a clear, recorded resolution naming her as a signer.

Board members moved and seconded the three actions in sequence. The board approved the motion to rescind the Jan. 30, 2025 action (agenda item 3.1), approved the acting-superintendent contract (3.2), and approved the added resolution (3.3) to name Acting Superintendent Karen Gray as a signatory. The board amended the resolution language to specify "acting superintendent Karen Gray" before the final vote on 3.3.

Board Chair noted the board’s process preference for adding late agenda items only when necessary and asked that any additions be transparent and recorded so the public is notified in advance in future cases. The board also discussed scheduling its next meeting tentatively and said the date may change because of potential weather conditions; the board committed to providing at least 24 hours' public notice if the meeting is rescheduled.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda action to rescind Jan. 30, 2025 approval and accept action item 3.1 — Passed (voice vote: ayes recorded; names not specified).

- Approval of the acting-superintendent contract (agenda item 3.2) — Passed (voice vote: ayes recorded; names not specified).

- Approval of resolution to designate Acting Superintendent Karen Gray as an official district signatory (agenda item 3.3), amended to read "acting superintendent Karen Gray" — Passed (voice vote: ayes recorded; names not specified).

The meeting concluded after a brief discussion of upcoming meeting scheduling and adjournment motions.