School Board Chairwoman Cheryl Mayes is throwing the book at her fellow school board Member Will Pinkston for violating a policy that bans outward criticism of the district’s director.
Calling the language “antiquated,” Pinkston told Pith Monday he’s plans to ask the board to do away with that policy at the board's next committee meeting this week.
“It dates back to 2003 and is clearly an Easter egg left behind by Pedro Garcia,” said Pinkston, referring to the district’s embattled previous superintendent.
Mayes emailed Pinkston Sunday informing him recent public comments about Director of Schools Jesse Register — like many made to the Scene here — were in violation of board policy. She also pointed to critical remarks Pinkston made about Register in emails to constituents.
The policy restricts critical comments of the schools’ director and district staff to only formal evaluations, such as the superintendent’s annual evaluation. The policy, G-9 titled Board Members’ Code of Conduct, includes a section detailing that “Members will not publicly express individual negative judgements about Director of staff performance outside the formal evaluation process. Any such judgements of Director or staff performance will be made only by the full board.”
Addressing the language would be the latest move by the board to consider revising their governing policies. Board members have been suggesting updates and rewrites of board policies for the last two years, largely at the suggestion of school board members elected in 2012, including Pinkston.
Pith obtained emails of the exchange. The first, from Chairwoman Mayes:
Will,
The email will serve as notification that you are in direct violation of Board Policy GP-9, Board Member Code of Conduct. Item 2C of this policy specifically states that "Members will not publicly express individual negative judgments about Director or staff performance outside the formal evaluation process. Any such judgments of Director or staff performance will be made only by the full Board" The actions by you that have led to this violation as follows:
a. Your negative statements regarding the Director of Schools and his staff that have appeared in numerous news articles over the last few weeks
b. Emails sent to constituents and MNPS employees containing negative comments about the Director of Schools and his staffAs Chair of the Board of Education, it is my responsibility to notify board members when policies have been violated and to assist board members in understanding and working within the policies that govern our board.
I have attached copies of Board Policies GP-2 and GP-9. Please review both policies as soon as possible to prevent any further violations. I will be available to discuss this issue in person on Tuesday afternoon should you wish to meet.
Thank you,
Cheryl D. Mayes, Chair
Board of Education, District 6
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Phone: (615) 812-3225
And the response from Pinkston:
Our commitment to the voters, parents, students and taxpayers of Davidson County supersedes the antiquated board policy you're referencing. The voters of my district did not put me on the board to kowtow to an imperial superintendent, and I imagine your voters feel the same way. I've publicly recognized the Central Office when things are going well, and will continue to do so. Likewise, when I believe things aren't going so well, I will continue to make my views known. Let's continue this conversation, as a group, at Tuesday's Governance Committee meeting when we review GP-9.
