Paycheck/Open Meetings Squabble

A spirited disagreement between two Monroe City Schools Board members over supplemental checks to employees turned awkward at a recent school board meeting, as words being hurled at some board members, who were only referred to as "they". The back and forth between District 2 board member Jennifer Haneline and former board president Betty Ward-Cooper erupted over an email put out by District 4 representative and current board president, Daryll Berry. Berry sent out an email that stated that employees, certified and non-certified, would receive supplement payments soon. The information in his email was then shared in a Facebook post to Berry's personal page on February 26, sharing that "every employee will receive an extra bonus check of $1,500.00 for certified and $750.00 for non-certified employees". The debate or disagreement was not about if the payments were valid but in the way the announcement was made. Cooper contended that Berry's email and social media announcements violated the open meeting laws. After a motion was made by board member Bill Willson for employees to receive their "bonus" check, board attorney Doug Lawrence approached Bill Willson and engaged in a brief discussion. Willson, on the advice of Lawrence, had to restate his motion because Lawrence said that the word "bonus" should be stricken from the motion. As a vote was about to be called, Cooper, again, voiced her opposition to the board taking a vote, challenging that Berry's email announcement violated the open meeting law. Cooper further explained her concerns, saying that the taxpayers should know beforehand what the board was doing. She preferred that the board take a week to "make sure things were properly done". She also said that "the image" of the board was at stake when things are perceived to be done out of order. Berry continued to ask for votes again, this time with Haneline interjecting, sharing that she would not let the accusation go on and that she was not going to be wrapped up in some drama over every little thing. As Haneline continued to speak, her voice rose louder, saying that Cooper's claim was a "false accusation" and that "they" (no names mentioned) are "acting like 12-year-olds". Haneline was adamant that there was no violation of the open meeting law and that Cooper was making accusations that things were not properly done by the board committee. District 4 board member Brandon Johnson said that he believes that things "could have been handled better," adding that he received numerous calls when word got out about the checks, but he could not adequately address the concerns. Johnson said that he would have liked to see all employees be paid the same amount but would give his support so that employees would not have to wait. One thing that stood out from the meeting as board members voiced their concerns (some louder than others) was that board attorney Lawrence said nothing. Berry did not ask for a legal opinion during the discussion between Cooper and Haneline. Lawrence's concern about the way the issue was worded in a motion by Willson was important, but when there was an open meeting discussion, he did not offer any feedback. Could he have prevented some of what happened in his capacity as legal counsel, or were Haneline's emotions too high from displeasure with what Cooper said? Was Lawrence's silence a signal that no violations occurred, or is it simply acceptable when certain persons forget meeting decorum?

Photo Monroe City Schools