Resident presses Brentwood board on teacher certification and pay practices; board pledges follow-up

During the public‑comment portion of the Dec. 18 meeting resident and taxpayer William Moss pressed the board on two related concerns: whether trustees personally verify the certification of newly hired teachers, and whether individuals on leave can receive overtime or additional six‑period contracts.

"I will remind the board that the commissioner of education has admonished the school district to and the trustees in particular to be looking and guarding over the certification of the teachers," Moss said. "If there is a teacher who is hired by you and that individual is not certified, then you have committed a crime here in the school district."

Board representatives responded that district policy (Policy 9240, as mentioned in the hearing) is being followed and that human resources handles certification verification. When Moss pressed for trustees to "have with your eyes" direct verification, the public response from board representatives emphasized they were not prepared to respond without specifics and encouraged Moss to provide details to the superintendent so the district could investigate and follow up.

Moss also asked about an apparent practice where a person on a leave of absence might receive overtime or a six‑period contract; board representatives said they were not familiar with the particular allegation, took note of the questions and said the district would look into it and provide a later response.

The transcript records the board advising Moss that his questions would be noted and followed up on, but no immediate resolution or factual clarification was made during public comment.