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Board adopts independent investigation, imposes interim restrictions on member Michael Williams
Summary
The Medford School District Board voted unanimously to adopt an independent investigation report into complaints filed by staff and approved interim restrictions on Board member Michael Williams; the motion passed 6–0 with one member absent.
The Medford School District Board of Education voted Dec. 5 to adopt a privileged and confidential investigation report into complaints related to Board member Michael Williams and to impose interim restrictions on his participation in district business.
Suzanne Messer moved "I move that we adopt the privileged and confidential investigation report for Medford School District 549C complaint by Ron Havniear regarding Michael Williams by Jollee Patterson, Miller Nash LLP, November 26, 2024." The motion was seconded by Jeff Kinsella and passed on a roll‑call vote: Messer: Yea; Caballero: Yea; Atkinson: Yea; Ferguson: Yea; Kinsella: Yea; Wright: Yea; Williams: Absent. The Board recorded the tally as Yea: 6, Nay: 0, Absent: 1.
After the vote, Executive Director of Security, Leadership and Facilities Ron Havniear delivered a personal and professional impact statement to the Board. Chair Cynthia Wright read excerpts of the investigation's findings and explained the Board's responsibility under Policy KL. District legal counsel Thad Pauck summarized the procedural steps taken after the Board authorized an independent investigation by Attorney Jollee Patterson.
The Board then read a list of interim restrictions to govern Mr. Williams' communications and access to district properties while the Board reviews longer‑term action. The restrictions, read by Chair Wright, included that "Effective immediately, all communications and/or questions by Mr. Williams regarding Board or School District business must be sent by e‑mail to the Board Leadership (Board Chair and Vice Chair), copying the Superintendent," and that Mr. Williams "is prohibited from entering any School District building or grounds unless he is given express prior written permission from the Superintendent," with limited exceptions for scheduled Board meetings and parent visits.
Board members characterized the measures as preventive. The Board asked Attorney Pauck to draft a formal resolution incorporating the restrictions for consideration at the next regular meeting; the restrictions are to be reviewed at the 2025 Organizational Meeting or Board Retreat and may be lifted if no further issues are reported.
