Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education President Joseph Taylor has fired back against statements made by former Trustee Patricia Rush in her resignation letter. In her letter dated January 14, Rush said she was stepping down from the board due to the way Taylor treated her. She said he accused her of trespassing on school property when she went to district offices to work with finance staff. At this week’s school board meeting, Taylor said he had Michigan Association of School Boards attorney Brad Banasik review the situation, and Banasik said, in fact, board members are members of the public when going to a school building.
“They are not employees,” Taylor said. “They are board members. Board members cannot be in the buildings on a daily basis unless they have board business like Mrs. Crowder or Mrs. Buchana when they come in for their meetings or committees.”
Taylor said board members cannot micromanage district staff, and like any other citizens, trustees are trespassing if they’re on school property without signing in or following similar rules. He said the findings of the attorney were discussed at a board retreat on Saturday, January 25 with Rush present, and she resigned that Monday. Originally, her resignation date was to be March 1. With Rush now no longer on the board, there is a vacancy. Anyone interested in applying can send a letter to the central office.
