Accused of harassing and intimidating behavior by Board of Education staff including Chair Chris Bolton, vice-chair Mari Rutka and director of education Donna Quan, District Board Trustees have agreed to consider participating in mediation overseen by an “Integrity Commissioner” with the goal of improving relations and adjusting their behavior in tense disagreements.

The controversy stems from a recent meeting between Trustees and board members where Trustee Howard Goodman allegedly acted belligerently and with implies violence towards Quan.  Goodman has issued apologies to Quan in the past for speaking loudly and for a “harsh tone” and asserts that was all that was involved in their recent meeting.

Because this is not the first time the Trustees appear to have violated their own voluntary code of conduct, the idea of establishing an Integrity Commissioner and a mediation process to help resolve lingering resentment and anger while teaching all involved how to behave better in their interactions has been suggested by Trustee Sheila Cary-Meagher.  The Board does have the legal power to impose mediation on the Trustees, but whether it will do so remains to be seen.