Michael L'Esperance, Bennett Dawson, Charles Thomas, David
2016.08.08 APPROVED 1
Fairfield School District Minutes July 7, 2016
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Present for a Quorum: Michael L’Esperance, Bennett Dawson, Charles Thomas, David Gaudette Michael Malone.
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Administrators Present: Kevin Dirth
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Others: None
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1. Call to Order Michael Malone called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 2. Agenda Review – Warrants were added to other business. Bennett Dawson made a motion to approve the modified agenda; second by Charles Thomas. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Visitors - none 4. Other Business A. Potential Board Chair Resignation - It was determined that this was a personnel issue and would be discussed in Executive Session as premature public knowledge would be a substantial disadvantage to the Board. Mike L’Esperance made a motion to enter Executive Session at 6:04 p.m.; second by Dave Gaudette. The motion carried unanimously. Executive Session ended at 6:53. The Board acknowledged receipt of Michael Malone’s resignation, which read: I resign from the Fairfield School Board effective immediately upon the remainder of the board's receipt of this letter. I recently, unintentionally and without malice, violated policy D12 concerning the harassment of employees. I concurred, to the best of my recollection, with the initial findings of the Superintendent. I am truly sorry for the incident as reported, and any damage it has caused and I had no intention of harassing or offending the particular employee. However, I do not accept, or admit to, the elaborations and fabrications the offended employee has sent to the Fairfield, FCSU and Maple Run Unified boards. The accounts described are not the same as was originally conveyed to me by the Superintendent and also include threats to "go public" with this incident if I did not resign from all three boards. Since her accounts were emailed to board members, it's public under open meeting law. Even if her accounts were not already public it would not prompt me to resign. I do not respond to threats. Though, unintentional, I still violated school policy. I believe board members are held to higher standard than school employees and those we serve. I feel my resignation from the Fairfield School Board is unfortunate, but appropriate for that reason alone. If I continue to serve on other boards, I plan to seek appropriate board member training. I am grateful for my time on the board serving the children and people of Fairfield. /s/ Michael Malone B. Potential Board Reorganization – Mike L’Esperance made a motion to appoint Bennett Dawson as Chair; second by Dave Gaudette. The motion carried unanimously.
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2016.08.08 APPROVED 1 2 3
Bennett Dawson made a motion to appoint Charles Thomas as Clerk; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion carried unanimously.
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5. Adjourn
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Bennett Dawson made a motion to adjourn at 6:59 p.m.; second by Dave Gaudette. The motion carried unanimously.
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Respectfully submitted, Brenda Comstock
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Fairfield School District Minutes July 7, 2016
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Present for a Quorum: Michael L’Esperance, Bennett Dawson, Charles Thomas, David Gaudette Michael Malone.
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Administrators Present: Kevin Dirth
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Others: None
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1. Call to Order Michael Malone called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 2. Agenda Review – Warrants were added to other business. Bennett Dawson made a motion to approve the modified agenda; second by Charles Thomas. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Visitors - none 4. Other Business A. Potential Board Chair Resignation - It was determined that this was a personnel issue and would be discussed in Executive Session as premature public knowledge would be a substantial disadvantage to the Board. Mike L’Esperance made a motion to enter Executive Session at 6:04 p.m.; second by Dave Gaudette. The motion carried unanimously. Executive Session ended at 6:53. The Board acknowledged receipt of Michael Malone’s resignation, which read: I resign from the Fairfield School Board effective immediately upon the remainder of the board's receipt of this letter. I recently, unintentionally and without malice, violated policy D12 concerning the harassment of employees. I concurred, to the best of my recollection, with the initial findings of the Superintendent. I am truly sorry for the incident as reported, and any damage it has caused and I had no intention of harassing or offending the particular employee. However, I do not accept, or admit to, the elaborations and fabrications the offended employee has sent to the Fairfield, FCSU and Maple Run Unified boards. The accounts described are not the same as was originally conveyed to me by the Superintendent and also include threats to "go public" with this incident if I did not resign from all three boards. Since her accounts were emailed to board members, it's public under open meeting law. Even if her accounts were not already public it would not prompt me to resign. I do not respond to threats. Though, unintentional, I still violated school policy. I believe board members are held to higher standard than school employees and those we serve. I feel my resignation from the Fairfield School Board is unfortunate, but appropriate for that reason alone. If I continue to serve on other boards, I plan to seek appropriate board member training. I am grateful for my time on the board serving the children and people of Fairfield. /s/ Michael Malone B. Potential Board Reorganization – Mike L’Esperance made a motion to appoint Bennett Dawson as Chair; second by Dave Gaudette. The motion carried unanimously.
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Page 1 of 2
2016.08.08 APPROVED 1 2 3
Bennett Dawson made a motion to appoint Charles Thomas as Clerk; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion carried unanimously.
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5. Adjourn
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Bennett Dawson made a motion to adjourn at 6:59 p.m.; second by Dave Gaudette. The motion carried unanimously.
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Respectfully submitted, Brenda Comstock
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