The school board on Thursday reinstated a board ethics committee to investigate claims against a school board member and any other claims made against the board.
Board Chairman Kenny Smith asked the board to bring back the committee after several ethics complaints about board member Rhonda Thurman.
“I’ve had several people ask this be put back into place,” Mr. Smith told the board.
The complaints came to light after Mrs. Thurman’s name appeared in a police report for allegedly showing up outside the house of a parent at a Normal Park parent meeting April 30. Mrs. Thurman attracted the ire of Normal Park parents when she began questioning whether students attending the magnet school were zoned to attend there.
Mrs. Thurman called the report “poppycock” and said she was not outside the person’s house.
Mr. Smith heard of several complaints, which prompted him to recommend forming committee, but he said it was not specifically to deal with Mrs. Thurman’s situation.
The five-person ethics committee includes three board members, Linda Mosley, Chester Bankston and Jeffrey Wilson. It also includes private citizens Lurone Jennings and Doug Fisher.
Mr. Smith said the ethics panel will meet as soon as possible.
Mrs. Thurman supported creating the committee, which can also investigate complaints against school employees. According to board attorney Scott Bennett, the committee can:
* Refer issues to the board attorney for a legal opinion and/or recommendation of action.
* In the case of an official send it to the school board for possible censure if the board decides it is warranted.
* In the case of an employee, refer it to the employee’s supervisor.
* If actions of employees or officials violate state law, report the matter to the local district attorney.
Mrs. Thurman didn’t show any discomfort related to the formation of the committee and even cracked a joke about the incident that lead to the board reinstating it. She was confident the committee would discuss ethics complaints against her.
“I don’t have anything to hide,” she said after the meeting.
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