The West Genesee Board of Education has again decided to support a decision that would bar the district from naming a building, field or area after an individual.
Policy 1540 was put in place by the school board in spring 2009 to restrict the district from naming any building, field or area after an individual. That decision was challenged by residents, but the Commissioner of Education agreed with the district and the policy held by fall 2010. The past few months, residents have again asked the district to overturn the policy, leading to involvement from the county District Attorney’s Office.
A complaint was filed asking the superintendent to bring the policy in front of the board, again. In December, the board voted 4 for, 5 against for bringing the policy to the board for formal review.
A verbal disagreement between a board member and a resident has lead to the District Attorney’s involvement, however.
School board minutes show that community member Tom Kehoskie, of Suffolk Road, was mailed a letter regarding his alleged conduct at a December board meeting. Kehoskie received correspondence from the district after board member Neil Widrick placed a formal complaint against Kehoskie. Widrick said he felt threatened by Kehoskie’s behavior after a December board meeting.
Superintendent Chris Brown said he sent a letter to Kehoskie regarding his alleged behavior. Kehoskie has now requested a formal investigation be launched by the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office because of Brown’s correspondence. Brown has forwarded that information, he said.
