The divisive issue of board governance resurfaced at a school board meeting held May 23.

At the meeting, Oxford High School Band Director Jim Gibbons came forward to voice his concern for the district’s image, following a conflict which took place between several board of education members at a May 4 meeting.

For details on the events that occurred at that meeting, please read the May 17 article, “Board Governance a source of conflict for school officials,” at www.oxfordleader.com.

Gibbons told board members that he has overheard many complaints about the board’s conduct during meetings from students and staff-members.

He also made it clear that he was not speaking on behalf of the Oxford Education Association, for which he serves as president.

“I’m not sure that you all have any idea that your actions and words are filtering back out to the staff and students (of) our district because students are sharing what they’ve witnessed at these meetings… and what they are sharing is not positive,” he told the board.

“Some of you, not all, but some, have been mean to one another, unkind to one another, untrusting of one another and untrusting of the procedures that you all should follow in having discussions and making decisions. You are role models to the staff and students for how leaders should function together and you’re all part of the same team, Team ‘O,’ and you should always be working together to make the district better. That does not mean that you have to agree on every issue, but the manner in which you disagree has got to change”

Gibbons went on to say he hopes the board can come together, so members can focus on what really matters – students and staff.

“You are all Wildcats and (I know) you all want what is best for the district and its students,” Gibbons concluded.

“You have to remember that you are role models and that the staff and students are watching. I want you to know that I think some of your actions, words and (the) unprofessional nature (with which) you’ve been conducting some meetings are hurting our district… We all deserve better than what we’re seeing from the board at times and my guess is that you all know this, as well… I’m asking that you all reflect on what I have said and try to come to better understanding and agreement about your roles and how you want to represent yourselves and Oxford Schools to your community and students.”

Following Gibbon’s remarks, during the final board comments portion of the meeting, Vice President Joyce Brasington issued a statement regarding the events which took place during the May 4 meeting.

During her statement, Brasington asserted she was simply following the advice of President Dan D’Alessandro when voicing her dissenting opinion on Superintendent Tim Throne’s recent trip to India, which was meant to further diversify Oxford’s international program, and that she had “gone through the proper channels” in doing so during a March 28 meeting.

Brasington added that she had felt that her character had been “attacked” through comments made by Trustee Tom Donnelly and Secretary Mark Stepek at the May 4 meeting.

“I want to clearly state I did nothing wrong. Nothing unethical. The public deserves better from our elected officials, and I deserve better from the people I serve with. I have always and will always continue to be transparent with the public who has entrusted me to serve on its behalf as a board member. I am reading this statement because I will not allow my character to be publicly called into question without rebuttal… The public’s interests are best served with honest, professional dialogue at meetings open to the public. The insinuations made against me at the May 9 board meeting were unprofessional and unwarranted. As Mr. Gibbons stated earlier this evening, I hope we can put this issue behind us and focus on why we were all elected,” said Brasington.

Many board members who spoke after Brasington’s statement thanked Gibbons for his honest input, agreeing that the board needs to work as one unit to benefit the district’s students, staff and parents.

“I agree that this board needs some healing and I apologize to Joyce… but I don’t want to go into all that. That’s something that we can do privately…but I think we have a long way to go,” said Stepek. “I’ve been on this board for a couple years and I’m proud to be a member of this board.”

Other board members, like Trustee Jenny Guthrie, said they would like to see the board turn its focus back towards the education of Oxford students and district programs.

“I would like to say that I am very proud to be a board member and (to) serve with all of you and I’m hoping that this (incident) is going to balance us out a little bit. I want us to get back to a good place because, man, we have a lot to celebrate,” said Guthrie. “I’m really looking forward to working together on behalf of our district.

Before closing the meeting that night, D’Alessandro said he would like to use this instance of conflict among board members as an opportunity for growth and as motivation to further strengthen the board’s diplomatic procedures, which are established by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB).

“I think, as a board we need to take that, realize it, move forward… I want to thank (Gibbons) for (his) critique. I will say this, that we will get better. Things will get better. I’m growing in this role . . . It’s difficult in here when you want everybody to have their opinions heard… and when do you put the brakes on and when do you not? And I think the best thing to do… is (to) do it by the book. And that’s the way we’re going to do it,” said D’Alessandro.

Donnelly is expected to issue a statement at the board’s June 13 meeting, which will be held at Oxford High School (745 N. Oxford Rd.) at 6:30 p.m.