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After pushing last month for disciplinary action against Superintendent Lynn Steenblock, Forest Lake School Board member David Gay found himself on the receiving end Thursday night. The school board, meeting in regular session, handed down a censure to Gay and fellow member Eric Langness for their conduct and actions directed at Steenblock at the Jan. 3 board meeting.
The vote was 5-2 for the censure. Board President Bill Bresin raised the issue late in Thursday's meeting after gathering information on Gay's action from the Minnesota School Boards Association and district attorney Patricia Maloney. At the Jan. 3 meeting, Gay made a motion with the second by Langness for "disciplinary action against the superintendent," according to meeting minutes approved by the board. Gay raised the topic after a community education teacher in December was charged with criminal sexual conduct involving a female student and included details regarding a spring crash where a district student was killed while riding in a vehicle driven by an independent contractor hired to transport district students. Both held jobs that did not require criminal background checks. The teacher was hired by the district. The driver worked for a company hired to provide services to students. Gay's motion was withdrawn after discussion on Jan. 3
Led by Bresin, the matter was revisited on Feb. 7. Bresin accused Gay and Langness of violating district requirements to have the matter reviewed internally and that Steenblock's rights were likely violated by discussing possible disciplinary matters in public. The discussion is not allowed under data practices rules involving public employees, Bresin and board member Joe Grafft said. "This is an issue of how you do business," Bresin said.
Gay argued on Thursday his intent on Jan. 3 was not to discipline Steenblock but to review what steps should be taken by the board. Langness said he was shocked that his name was listed for censure when he had seconded Gay's motion to allow discussion. "I don't know why my name is on here?" Langness said.
The 5-2 vote found support from Bresin, Grafft and members Rob Rapheal, Julie Corcoran and Dan Kieger. Gay and Langness voted no.
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