By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM – A resolution calling for the resignation of Sequim School Board Director Jim Stoffer will be read in a special meeting Thursday night and a vote will be taken, the Board announced yesterday. The resolution states the reason for calling for his resignation. It reads;
“Director Stoffer knowingly and willfully violated Policy 1620 and Procedure 1620P by disclosing to a District employee who has two active complaints against the District information shared confidentially with the Board of Directors.”
Stoffer, through his attorney Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin, released a statement late Wednesday night calling the resolution a public smear campaign led by fellow Board Directors and Interim School Superintendent Jane Pryne. We spoke with Schromen-Wawrin Thursday morning.
“The issue here is whether he disclosed confidential information. He didn’t. He’s been the only Director who’s been taking seriously the complaints that are coming from staff and community members. It’s important that we listen and understand what people are saying and investigate them properly. And instead, what’s happening here is some of the other members of the board and the interim superintendent are trying to cover that under the rug and that risks students having a safe learning environment.”
KONP has seen many of these complaints from staff members, students and parents through public records requests. They range from allegations of intimidation, fraud, wrongful termination and even accusations of staff having sexual relationships with students.
We have reported recently on the lawsuit brought by Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Maughan, who was placed on paid administrative leave in September for what she claims is retaliation for having made a discrimination complaint against Superintendent Pryne.
In March, former para-educator Hanna McAndie filed a federal lawsuit alleging former Superintendent Rob Clark attempted to destroy McAndie’s reputation by promoting the rumor that she had an extra-marital affair with Clark’s predecessor, Gary Neal.
In 2020, High School Principal Shawn Langston was temporarily suspended during an investigation of sexual harassment that ultimately had him reinstated but assigned him a mentor after finding he had violated District policy.
In the case of Stoffer, who has served on the Board for six years, a vote will likely be taken tonight by the Board on whether to force his resignation. If 2 of the remaining 4 Directors vote no, the resolution won’t pass.
“And I think that would send a really important message to the other board members that are leading the smear campaign and to the interim superintendent, that they’re going to take seriously the concerns of the community.”
Stoffer is currently on medical leave from his duties, which he says is a result of the stresses he’s endured from this issue, and is not expected to attend.
Schromen-Wawrin says the very fact that the Board is meeting tonight on this issue is in violation of the Board’s own rules, saying Stoffer should have received 48 hours’ notice.
“There’s just no proper procedure going on here which, I think, people should look at and say, ‘Why would you violate procedure in order to publicly smear a school board director, who has a great record of watching out for students and families and teachers?’.
Board President Brandino Gibson says he and the District’s legal counsel dispute that claim.
“So, according to policy 1420 in our agenda, and you can go look at this, proposed agendas and consent agenda, the proposed agenda for regular and special meetings will be posted to the district website, not less than 24 hours prior to the start time of the meeting.”
Our reading of the Board’s protocols, under Procedure 1620P, Article 5 appears to back up Schromen-Wawrin’s claim, where it reads; “All materials for the meeting will be provided to the board and public 48 hours in advance.” But Gibson says special meetings have special rules.
We reached out to the office of Dr. Jane Pryne for comment but had not heard from her by airtime. The special meeting starts at 6:30 pm.
(Photo from Stoffer’s Facebook page Jim For Sequim)