ROBBINSDALE, Minn. — The Robbinsdale School Board had its first meeting Wednesday since the results of a scathing investigation into its members was released.
The group, Red Cedar Consulting, found the members' conduct is so dysfunctional that they aren't fulfilling their duties and their actions are disrupting the district.
The drama dates back months when some members first filed a series of complaints against one another in April. Three months earlier Board Chair ReNae Bowman admitted to KARE 11's Jennifer Hoff the board was already in disarray then.
And despite the admonishment from that consulting group that performed the investigation, and the board's own lawyer when the results were first read publicly last week, the chaos continued at Wednesday's meeting.
Some board members seemed confused about the process to make a motion and amend the agenda, while others stated they wanted to censure another. Ultimately, the group approved to continue discussing the investigation results.
"I don't know what the magic potion is to have an olive branch stick at the table," said Bowman. "What's worse is we all believe in public education. All seven of us have ideals exactly the same."
Four members were elected last year and Dr. Teri Staloch was approved as the district's newest superintendent in May. Many are hopeful she can right the ship as the district did hire dozens of new teachers and nearly closed a $17 million budget deficit this year.
"She is qualified, she is competent, she knows what she's doing, but what's clear to me as this board chair, is we have work to do," said Bowman.
A recent external investigation into the board found six of the seven members responsible for violating its values and norms agreement. The district's lawyer telling them they are not leading by example.
"It's demoralizing to the organization as a whole," said James Martin, Robbinsdale's counsel. "Regardless of the genesis of the dysfunction or conduct perpetuating this, it's my professional opinion, it's got to stop."
Martin recommended six actions the board could take next that included passing a resolution to follow the rules and undergoing training to re-engaging in mediation or removing certain members. The board isn't required to take any action.
Two school board members are up for reelection this fall and another isn't running again. Bowman said there are five new candidates vying for those three spots. She promised the school board members and parents, students and staff that they are focused on finding peaceful resolutions to move forward.
"It can be challenging, it can be trying, but I’m in for the kids," said Bowman. "They deserve a future."