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Board reviews and dismisses complaints against Chair Cynthia Wright
Summary
The Medford School Board reviewed a prior finding and two new complaints against Chair Cynthia Wright on March 20; after legal guidance the board voted to dismiss the new complaints and to take no further action on the earlier finding.
The Medford School Board discussed a follow-up to a prior finding that Chair Cynthia Wright violated Board Policy BBF and then turned the meeting over to Vice Chair Kendell Ferguson for that agenda item. Vice Chair Ferguson summarized that the February 20 finding had been addressed and proposed no further action; Suzanne Messer moved that no additional action be taken, Kendell Ferguson seconded, and the motion carried with one abstention (6–0–1).
The board also reviewed two complaints submitted by members of the public—one from Paul Cynar alleging that an email from the chair constituted harassment and another from Russ Kautz alleging impermissible serial communications among board members. Attorney Thad Pauck reviewed applicable public meeting laws and policies (including KL and BCB) and advised the board that the communications under review did not appear to constitute harassment or a prohibited serial meeting. Based on that guidance the board voted to find both complaints unsubstantiated and dismiss them without further action; both motions passed unanimously.
The board discussed community perceptions including concerns about racism raised during the item and a suggestion for board training on public meeting laws from the Oregon School Boards Association. Attorney Pauck was asked to prepare final written decisions to be sent to the complainants pursuant to Board Policy KL.
