YCSD Board Retreat Canceled; Fairman Accused of Multiple Policy Violations
At the York County School Division Board Working Session, Monday, May 6, Member James Richardson (District 4) announced he would not be attending the Board’s upcoming retreat due to his belief that the choice in presenters may violate policy and that the meeting itself may be in violation of the law. Board member Mark Schafer echoed Richardson’s concerns. By the next evening, the retreat had been canceled.
Speaking from a prepared text, Richardson outlined a long list of concerns, violations and potential violations of YCSD Board policy committed by Board Chair Lynda Fairman. Richardson stated that Fairman had violated Board policy several times over a four month period including directing the Board Attorney Melanie Berry to not talk to or respond to the media. Richardson accused Fairman of “…trying to work on your own and to exhibit authority you do not have as the chair.” Richard reinforced this statement by citing Board policy BBAA.
Richardson recounted the great difficulty he had experienced in getting information about the scheduled Board retreat. “A lack of communication makes it impossible to work together,” Richardson said. The Board has had very little information about the upcoming retreat, Richardson lamented. An earlier scheduled retreat had been canceled by Fairman and Vice Chair Kimberly Goodwin with little notice, Richardson noted. Despite the fact that the earlier retreat had been agreed to in a Board meeting. Richardson also said he had twice asked who was going to be providing training at the May 10 retreat, only to have his queries unanswered. He noted that the delay in publishing the retreat agenda could put the Division in jeopardy of violation open meeting laws.
When the Board retreat agenda was finally revealed, Richardson objected to the choice of presenters and feared their presence would be another policy violation. The original Board retreat agenda listed Mr. Michael Sylvester, Esq., Founding Freedoms Law Center and Ms. Sherri Story, School Board Member Alliance (SBMA) Executive Director as presenters. Richardson stated that in his opinion Mr. Sylvester lacked experience. The YCSD Board Attorney, instead of Sylvester, could have done the training at no cost, Richardson pointed out. Having Ms. Story from SBMA provide training appeared to a violation of Board policy BHB, in Richardson’s estimation.
“I will not be attending the May 10 (Board) retreat as I do not wish to violate policy in addition I will not be affiliated with the group that makes insensitive comments on social media and comments in public that could be construed as being racist,” concluded Richardson.
Watch Mr. Richardson’s full discussion of the Board retreat.