Robbinsdale School Board Member Censured
The Robbinsdale School Board heard the results of an investigation into its own conduct on Monday, Aug. 26.
Board members called the results “devastating,” “embarrassing” and a “catastrophe.”
During a lengthy meeting, the board censured one of it’s own members, Sharon Brooks. Another member, Helen Bassett, narrowly avoided a censure.
The investigation came after board members had filed a series of complaints and counter-complaints against each other.
“Most Dysfunctional Board”
Isaac Kaufman of Red Cedar Consulting was hired to conduct the investigation.
The investigative finding documents have not been released to the public. CCX News has requested a copy of the findings through the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
The investigation appears to have been underway since a school board closed session in April.
Kaufman, as well as James Martin, an attorney for the school board, characterized the board as “dysfunctional.”
““I’ve worked with school boards since 1993,” Martin said. “I’ve worked with them as an attorney, as a school administrator, as an investigator, as a hearing officer. And I have to say regrettably, this is the most dysfunctional board with whom I have ever worked in 30, 31 years.”
Kaufman’s investigation found that every member of the board with the exception of Greta Evans-Becker had contributed to the dysfunctional nature of school board operations.
The Robbinsdale School Board heard the results of an investigation into its own conduct on Monday, Aug. 26. Board members called the results “devastating,” “embarrassing” and a “catastrophe.”
Allegations and Censure
The investigation probed at least five complaints that were filed or cross-filed between board members.
In most of these cases, the investigation found that at least one member violated the board’s core values and norms agreement.
One series of incidents involving Caroline Long and Brooks resulted in a censure.
According to Kaufman, there’s been a history of dispute between the two related to Long’s racial identity.
This dispute partly involved an alleged confrontation in an elevator, as well as a string of emails between the two.
He characterized some of these discussions as “discourteous and disrespectful in reference to the core value and norms.”
However, he concluded that Brooks used “racially-charged language in violation of the school district’s policy [related to discrimination, harassment and violence].”
Long moved to censure Brooks as a result.
“I feel like race has been weaponized — I feel like especially towards me, there’s been a lot of colorism that has happened on this board, where people are constantly — other Black women, are constantly denying that I am a Black woman,” Long said.
Brooks disagreed and spoke to plans for a counter-censure.
“I called her a white woman before and she corrected me and said I identify as Black,” Brooks said. “I heard her call all of you white supremacists many times from this table.”
The vote to censure Brooks was 4-2, with Brooks and Bassett casting dissenting votes. Evans-Becker abstained.
Board Member Kim Holmes moved to censure Bassett, but the vote failed after a lengthy discussion.
Holmes claimed Bassett violated policies and the board’s code of conduct in her motion for a censure.
Meanwhile, Bassett said the censure was “offensive” and not based in fact or in specific incidents.
The vote was 3-3, with Bassett, Brooks and John Vento casting dissenting votes. Evans-Becker also abstained in this vote.
The board adjourned abruptly after the two censure motions. During the chaotic ending, Brooks spoke to a desire to censure Vento.
See also: Robbinsdale School Board Members to Stop Mediation Despite Conflicts
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