Board rejects motion to place completed external investigation on Jan. 13 agenda

A motion by Director Thompson to add a "Completed External Investigation Report, Board Briefing, and Next Steps" as a recommended action for the board’s Jan. 13 meeting failed after objections from a board member who said the matter arises from an HR complaint in which she is the complainant.

The proposal sought only to place an item on Section 7 of the agenda so the board could later vote to hold a public discussion. A board member rose to object, saying that putting the item on an open session agenda “raises procedural data practices and retaliation concerns” and announcing she would not participate in any public discussion of the complaint. Chair Swanson said counsel had advised the board that placing the item on an agenda was permissible but acknowledged the procedural debate.

Board members split over where forward-looking recommendations should be aired. Several directors urged using a board-development session or retreat to consider recommendations stemming from the investigation, saying that setting aside time for the seven-member board to work through next steps would be more productive and less likely to expose confidential personnel information. Others argued that the public has a right to know and that placing the item on the public agenda would allow the board to be transparent.

When the chair called the vote on Director Thompson’s motion (seconded by Director Carbone), members voiced aye and opposed; the chair announced the motion failed. The record contains the chair’s announcement that the motion failed but does not list a full roll-call tally for that specific motion.

The board then proceeded with its regular agenda. The administration confirmed that any follow-up about the investigation will follow board policy and applicable state privacy and personnel laws.