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Trainer warns board members against individual investigations of personnel matters
Summary
OSBA presenter reminded trustees that individual board members lack authority to investigate personnel or direct staff; complaints should follow formal appeal channels and communications about personnel must go through the superintendent to avoid bias or legal exposure.
The workshop highlighted boundaries for individual board members: they should not personally investigate personnel matters, seek confidential personnel files, or threaten the superintendent with retribution. The presenter outlined that the board's investigatory powers are zero as individuals and that any formal investigation must be authorized by the board and carried out by a third party or through established process.
Trainer and trustees discussed real experiences: a past incident was described in which a board member was confronted during an uncoordinated visit, and members agreed the appropriate response to private complaints is to refer them to the principal or superintendent and to avoid hearing case details that could create ex parte bias in later appeals.
