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Medford School Board votes to refer complaint against board member to independent investigator
Summary
At a special Aug. 27 meeting, the Medford School District board voted 5–1, with one abstention, to have the board chair and legal counsel refer a complaint alleging improper conduct by a board member to an independent investigator, who will prepare written findings for the board.
The Medford School District Board voted on Aug. 27, 2024 to refer a complaint alleging improper conduct by a school board member to an independent investigator and requested the investigator prepare written findings for the board.
Board Chair Cynthia Wright called the special meeting to order at 5:30 PM, recessed for an executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(f), and brought the board back into public session at 5:47 PM. Chair Wright acknowledged the board had received a complaint that had been distributed to all board members and opened the floor for a motion.
"Pursuant to Board Policy KL, I move that the Board Chair work with the district’s legal counsel to refer the complaint alleging improper conduct by a School Board member to an independent investigator for full investigation and that such independent investigator prepare written findings to be presented to the Board upon completion of such investigation," moved board member Jeff Kinsella and was seconded by Suzanne Messer.
The board then conducted a roll-call vote: Messer — Yea; Ferguson — Yea; Kinsella — Yea; Caballero — Abstained; Atkinson — Yea; Williams — No; Wright — Yea. The motion carried, with the tally recorded as Yea (5), No (1), Abstained (1). The minutes state the board will have the chair coordinate with legal counsel to engage the independent investigator; the transcript does not specify a timeline or the identity of the investigator.
The special meeting concluded with Chair Wright adjourning at 5:50 PM. The board provided a video recording link on the district website; the minutes note the executive session was held under ORS 192.660(2)(f), which governs consideration of information exempt from public inspection.
