Letter: Open Meeting Law violations being investigated
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Mon, 04/04/2022 - 1:14pm
Event Date:
April 6, 2022 (All day) On Friday, April 1st 2022 a group of concerned residents gathered on the steps of the Attorney General Building across from the State Capitol for the purpose of filing complaints against two of Carson City School Board members, Laurel Crossman and Michael (Mike) Walker. This group is part of a growing number of parents, grandparents and other community members who are openly and vocally defending children’s health, educational well being and their future.
Per the group’s spokesperson, during the School Board meeting on March 22, Trustees Crossman and Walker, who voted against the decision to hire Dr. Goldhardt and in the minority, included materials in their deliberations unrelated to the contract which was the topic of the meeting agenda. None of the materials in their possession were shared with the other Trustee or the public. The decision to hire Dr. Goldhardt was made at the February 22nd meeting, and a reconsideration of the hiring decision was not on the March 22 meeting agenda.
Trustee Crossman, knowing that a decision to reconsider cannot be brought up by the minority voting block, deliberated towards a decision to rescind the hire of Dr. Goldhardt and enter into contract negotiations. She demonstrated to anyone watching (including Dr. Goldhardt) of a divided School Board and a potentially ineffective working relationship with the new Superintendent, resulting in the withdrawal of Dr Goldhardt from candidacy as per his letter published in the Nevada Appeal article dated March 26th.
Trustee Crossman moved to a motion to deny the contract proposal after her deliberations, which was seconded by Trustee Walker immediately without giving fellow Trustees any chance to discuss and influence the wording of the motion. There was no vote to limit deliberations either in time or participants prior to the motion made by Trustee Crossman. In the end, the Board voted 6-1 to deny all proposed changes by Dr. Goldhardt and return the original drafted contract for 1 year. However, the illegal“ deliberations” had achieved its desired impact of discouraging Dr. Goldhardt to remain in the hiring process.
In case there was any doubt what was happening during the meeting, the recording of the meeting show comments which alluded to the condition described above. Trustee Cacioppo asked Trustee Crossman “so you want to punt and go in a different direction”. (2:58:25). Legal counsel, Mr. Russell, advised the School Board that “reconsideration of the decision is not on the agenda (3:01:21). Upon Trustee Crossman bringing up the lack of incomplete vetting by NASB, Trustee Wilkie said “not the discussion right now. Discussion is the contract. We made the vote - it was split - granted but we made the vote” (3:10:25). Trustee Walker expressed doubt of the decision by saying “what is going to happen with this person as Superintendent” (3:00:59 - 3:01:19).
“Under NRS 283.040 1. (d) Trustee Crossman violated her oath of office and bond and knowingly violated the Open Meeting Law (NRS 241.040) by deliberating towards a decision to rescind the decision to hire Dr. Goldhardt which had been properly on the agenda at the previous meeting but which was not on this current meeting’s agenda” necessary. Trustee Walker was an accomplice in the process bringing his own doubts in his deliberations.
We hope that the Carson City parents, grandparents and concerned residents stand up for the improvement of academic achievement of Carson City children instead of the status quo of existing practices which have not served our children well. A special meeting to reconsider the Superintendent hire will be held on April 6th at the Robert Crowell Boardroom, Carson City Community Center, 851 E William Street, Carson City.
