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Medford School Board adopts resolution restricting Director Michael Williams' school visits after complaint
Summary
The Medford School District board adopted a resolution Dec. 19 that conditions Board Director Michael Williams' in‑person participation and school visits on compliance with district safety policies and prohibits carrying weapons defined by ORS 166.360(10); the motion passed 6–1 with Williams voting no.
The Medford School Board on Dec. 19 adopted a formal resolution placing limits on Board Director Michael Williams' in‑person participation at schools and district events after the board reviewed an investigation that it previously adopted Dec. 5. The motion to adopt the resolution, offered by Board Director Kendell Ferguson, included a revised paragraph that conditions Williams' school visits and participation on compliance with district safety requirements and specifies that he may not carry weapons "including but not limited to a knife, as defined in ORS 166.360(10), on his person." The motion passed on a 6–1 roll call vote with Williams voting no.
Board Chair Cynthia Wright read the resolution during the meeting and directors asked staff and legal counsel questions about the scope of the pocket‑knife exclusion and whether the board had heard from Williams' legal representation. Director Michael Williams responded to the board after the resolution was read, saying he "disagreed with the premise of the complaint, the behavior of the administration, and the bias determination of the investigator," according to the meeting record. Wright said law enforcement will be contacted in the event of any violation of the directive spelled out in the resolution.
The resolution formalizes restrictions the board had already discussed and places the specific statutory reference ORS 166.360(10) into the directive about weapons. The board made the change to paragraph 5(B)(iii) to clarify that Williams' participation in school visits, in‑person attendance at Board meetings or other district functions "is conditional upon his compliance with the same District safety policies that apply to other members of the public entering MSD property, including not carrying any weapons, including but not limited to a knife, as defined in ORS 166.360(10), on his person." Williams cast the lone dissenting vote; the board otherwise adopted the resolution by majority vote.
The board did not take additional disciplinary action at the meeting and did not vote to change board membership. The resolution and the vote conclude the board's formal adoption of the restrictions discussed in its Dec. 5 meeting; board members indicated the resolution would govern how Williams may attend school events and board‑invited functions going forward.
