PW School Board denies move to hire attorney in investigation
Board president says executive session held illegally
Members of the PalestineWheatley School Board, during a special meeting Wednesday evening, voted against hiring an attorney to guide the board through an investigation involving the district.
The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in the high school’s library, but due to a large crowd in attendance, was moved to the cafeteria where the majority of the meeting was held in an executive session that lasted about 15 minutes.
Upon returning to open session, board president Derrick Boileau asked for a motion to hire Little Rock attorney Scott Richardson to guide the board through the investigation process.
"Certain information has been shared with the board about superintendent Jon Estes that warrants an investigation before any final decisions are made," said Boileau. "Scott Richardson was recommended to us as an attorney, very familiar with school law, who can guide us through this process. Do I have a motion to approve the hiring of Scott Richardson?"
The motion was made by board secretary Vernon Thweatt and seconded by board member Jared Parker.
However on a roll call vote, the motion failed by a vote of 4-to-3.
Boileau, Thweatt and Parker voted in favor of the hiring of Richardson. Board members Shane Clifton, Micah Jo Hilsdon, Blaine McCoy and board vice president Jamie McCoy voted against the motion.
Following the meeting, Boileau issued a statement to members of the board as well as the TimesHerald.
"There are three people on our board that have been through wars for this district," said Boileau. "The three people that voted yes tonight. We've been sued countless times for the betterment of our school district.
Tonight was a vote for the betterment of our school district. A four to three vote. Tonight was about Jon Estes. A room full of people changed some board members’ minds. Isn't it ironic that the three people who voted yes are the ones that have been through the fire and didn't cave? No hard feelings, business is business. Sometimes you swing and miss.”
Boileau continued, “There was one board member that made a deal and gave their word to another party about tonight. That broken deal has opened up Pandora’s Box. Get ready everyone, court cases are not fun. Names posted on billboards aren't fun. Tonight was about three kids that were wronged by our superintendent. Your vote supported that wrong."
Early this morning, Boileau reached out to the Times-Herald claiming that last night's executive session was held illegally, according to the Arkansas
(Continued from Page 1) School Board Association’s rules.
"Last night's executive session was an illegal session as the State of Arkansas clearly explains the five reasons to enter executive session," said Boileau. "These reasons are for employment, appointment, promotion, demotion or resignation. The
Arkansas School Board Association handbook goes on to say that the Freedom of Information Act permits a sixth reason, discipline, however a law was passed in the past that made discipline fall onto the duty of the superintendent. Discipline is the duty of the superintendent, not the board. We went into executive session to discipline an employee. That put that employee’s right to a fair and unbiased hearing at risk."
When contacted, Estes said he had no comment at this time on this situation.
The board is scheduled to hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m., Monday, in the high school library.