Medford school board dismisses two formal complaints against members

The Medford School District Board of Directors voted on Oct. 3 to dismiss two formal complaints filed by Paul Cynar, one naming Director Jeff Kinsella and the other naming Board Chair Cynthia Wright. Suzanne Messer moved to dismiss the complaint against Kinsella and Cynthia Wright seconded; the motions carried after legal counsel advised the Board the complaints did not meet the legal standards for defamation or other policy violations.

Attorney Thad Pauck told the Board that, in his view, “the statement was not defamatory and was subject to absolute privilege provided to officers of a public body made in the course of deliberating.” He also explained that claims alleging a hostile work environment would require allegations that meet the definitions — including membership in a protected class and evidence that the conduct was pervasive and severe. Following counsel’s advice, the Board voted to dismiss each complaint and instructed the district’s legal counsel to prepare a final written decision addressing each allegation and the reasons for dismissal. The Kinsella dismissal vote was recorded as five yeas, one abstention (Kinsella, with conflict) and one absence; the Wright dismissal carried by the same tally.