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The Mattituck school board failed to elect a president at Thursday’s reorganizational meeting. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson)
After a heated argument between board members over accusations of breaking the state’s open meetings law, the Mattituck Board of Education failed to elect a president at its annual reorganizational meeting Thursday night.
School board member Laura Jens-Smith objected to fellow board member Sarah Hassildine participating from Rochester via Skype, because the public notice for the meeting failed to include Ms. Hassildine’s location. Ms. Smith said she believes a district must notify the public 72 hours in advance if a member is going to participate from another location.
“So if they wish to attend where she is they can,” Ms. Jens-Smith said.
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School board member Jeff Smith talking with Sarah Hassildine via Skype. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson)
Board member Jerry Diffley, who has been serving as president of the board, said he doubted anyone from the district was in Rochester to join Ms. Hassildine, and he suggested Ms. Jens-Smith file a complaint with the state.
Ms. Hassildine said she wouldn’t vote on agenda items if the board didn’t feel comfortable allowing her to do so via Skype.
The board then voted on a walk-on resolution to allow her to participate, but it failed 2-4 with only Mr. Diffley and fellow board member Doug Cooper voting in favor.
“I think you’re making a mountain out of an ant hill,” Mr. Cooper said before casting his vote. “I think it’s going by the spirit of the law.”
Board member Jeff Smith disagreed.
“You can’t go by the spirit of the law,” he said. “The law states it specifically and that’s what you have to follow.”
The board also disagreed on who should be its new president Thursday night. Mr. Cooper nominated to re-elect Mr. Diffley, and Ms. Jens-Smith nominated Mr. Smith. Board member Bill Gatz nominated Charles Anderson, who has been serving as vice president, but Mr. Anderson declined the nomination.
Mr. Diffley and Mr. Smith each received three yes votes after the two swing votes split, with Mr. Anderson supporting Mr. Diffley and Mr. Gatz voting for Mr. Smith. Mr. Gatz had previously voted along with Ms. Jens-Smith and Mr. Smith against a resolution Jan. 16 to enter into contract negotiations with new superintendent Ann Smith, who was eventually hired unanimously during a special meeting last month.
Mr. Diffley suggested during Thursday’s meeting that Ms. Jens-Smith intentionally blocked Ms. Hassildine from voting in an attempt to prevent him from being re-elected president over Mr. Smith.
“Now I see the motivation,” he said.
She responded, “Yes, we do see the motivation.”
Ms. Jens-Smith said after the meeting that she believes it’s “time for a change.”
“I think Jeff Smith can bring a different perspective to the board,” she said.
When questioned by a reporter during the meeting, Ms. Hassildine declined to immediately say who she would have supported if allowed to cast a vote.