School Board to Discuss Member Conduct in Private Monday

By Brandi Makuski
Monday’s school board will enter into closed session to discuss board member conduct.
The April 11 meeting is the last before newly-elected members are seated in late April. According to the agenda, the board will discuss board member conduct behind closed doors, but it does not indicate which board member or members is the focus.
When asked for comment on why the board would discuss the conduct on an elected official in private, Interim Superintendent Lee Bush replied via email with one sentence, “Because the open meetings statute cited in the closed session, 19.85 (1)(f) allows for it.”
When asked if the discussion would target current or incoming members, and whether any of the newly-elected board members would be privy to the closed session, Lee replied he “can’t comment on first part of [the] question…haven’t decided second part because I was just made aware of the question today and haven’t consulted with anyone about it.”
Monday’s agenda reads in part, “Considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par.(b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data or involved in such problems or investigations. Specifically board member conduct.”
The agenda indicates the board will also discuss evaluating Interim Superintendent Lee Bush, various non-renewals of teacher contracts and negotiations with SPAEA, AFCSME and Teamsters during the closed session.
The board meets at 6:30 on Monday, April 11 at Bliss Educational Services Center, 1900 Polk Street.