Board's behavior discussed

Some Charleston County School Board members have been breaking the board's rules by giving orders to school staff, being disrespectful to employees and visiting schools unannounced.

The board on Monday night received a reminder and request to follow policies that regulate board member behavior, powers and duties. It's the first time in at least a decade that the board has had such a conversation in a public forum, and members maintained their civility throughout the discussion.

The idea for the conversation came from board Chairwoman Toya Green and Vice Chairman Gregg Meyers, who asked the superintendent to evaluate the board's behavior. District leaders responded Monday night by citing the board's rules and general instances in which those rules had been ignored.

No board member was singled out, although some felt certain accusations were directed toward specific people. Board member Elizabeth Kandrac said she didn't think the discussion was appropriate and that district staff don't follow rules.

"I could talk for two hours on what they've not done," she said after the meeting.

Superintendent Nancy McGinley said some of the rule-breaking may jeopardize student confidentiality, impede the district's ability to carry out administrative functions, and affect officials' efforts to manage schools. The feedback reminds members of the rules and informs staff about what standards the board has agreed to follow, Meyers said.

At least two members said they thought that a board workshop -- a less formal setting -- would be a more appropriate time to have this type of discussion, and the board agreed to delve into the topic again next week.

After the district's presentation, Kandrac, who has made multiple requests for information on district staff expenses, said she wanted to know why she couldn't ask for information that her constituents want. Board policy calls for individual member's requests to be routed through the superintendent and possibly put on the board's agenda for discussion about whether responding would be appropriate.

Meyers responded by saying anyone can send in a request under the Freedom of Information Act, but board members should make theirs through the superintendent. The district still is obligated to respond, he said. Board members have created issues in the past by going to individual staff members with their requests, he said.

Board member Arthur Ravenel Jr. asked about the policy requiring members making official visits to schools to do so with board authorization and with the superintendent's knowledge. Ravenel, who frequently visits schools with board member Ray Toler, said he wasn't sure what constituted an official visit and he questioned how residents could make unannounced visits to schools but board members needed permission to do that.

Meyers responded by saying that Ravenel didn't need permission but simply needed to let the superintendent know in advance. The board's rules can be changed or amended with five votes, but members can't pretend those policies don't exist, Meyers said.

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.