January 10th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Ironically one of the issues lost in translation this week among the new members of the Allegany Board of Education- was the board’s communication policy. During last year’s campaign, then candidates Wayne Foote, Robert Farrell and David Bohn often referenced incidents of teachers and principals being leary of discussing issues with members of the elected board for fear of reprisal. With a proposal on the table at this week’s public meeting to revise the communications policy- board member Foote reiterated concerns he says he’s been hearing since taking office…

While Foote, Farrell and Bohn all expressed a desire to revisit the policy-   Deb Frank and Tammy Fraley saw no need- noting that the existing policy does not prohibit teachers or principals from communicating with the elected board members.  Frank said if there are  actual incidents where teachers are being  told not to speak to board members- those cases should be brought to the attention of the board-  as opposed to hearing vague, generalities with no details provided…

Fraley said that if a board member is told by a  teacher that they are  under the impression that communication with board members is discouraged- that board member should make certain that accurate policy information is provided to that individual…

Ultimately the board agreed to have the policy committee review the existing communications policy to determine if some clarifications or enhancements should be considered.