The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has upheld its decisions to bar North Prince Edward County Trustee Rachael Prinzen for breaching the Board’s Code of Conduct and not maintaining the confidentiality of closed meetings.
Prinzen had filed an appeal with the Board of Trustees soon after its decision to bar her from board and committee meetings for 90 days starting on January 6th.
On Monday the Board of Trustees rejected her appeal and the 90 day suspension of Prinzen from board business will stand.
Details of Prinzen’s actions and comments leading to the disciplinary action have not been released.
BELOW IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE MOTIONS COMING OUT OF A CLOSED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES NOVEMBER 25/24
Rise and Report from Committee of the Whole
Trustees met in closed session to review the determinations in light of an appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen.
Based on s.218.3(10) and s.207 (2) (b) of the Education Act, the report and the appeal are not being publicly disclosed, and review of the determinations and sanctions were held in closed session, as permitted by those sections.
S.218(3)(11) requires that even though deliberations may be held in private, the resolutions/motions to confirm or revoke the determination and confirm, vary or revoke the sanctions must be made at a public Board meeting.
Board members approved the following motions coming forward from the closed session:
* Motion 1: Sections 5(a) and 5(c) Respect for Confidentiality
In accordance with HPEDSB Governance Directive 7.1 March 2023, Board Members’ Code of Conduct (“the Code”) and applicable sections of the Ontario Education Act, and taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the investigator outlined in his report to the HPEDSB Board of Trustees dated October 24, 2024, regarding allegations of breaches of the Code by Trustee Rachael Prinzen and the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB Board of Trustees confirms their determination that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Code of Conduct for failing to keep confidential, information disclosed at a closed Board or committee meeting and divulging such confidential information without authorization by the Board or required by law.
* Motion 2: Section 6(a) Upholding Decisions of the Board
In accordance with HPEDSB Governance Directive 7.1 March 2023, Board Members’ Code of Conduct (“the Code”) and applicable sections of the Ontario Education Act, and taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the investigator outlined in his report to the HPEDSB Board of Trustees dated October 24, 2024, regarding allegations of breaches of the Code by Trustee Rachael Prinzen and the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB Board of Trustees confirms their determination that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached Section 6(a) of the Code for failing to accept that authority rests with the Board of Trustees and that a trustee has no individual authority other than that delegated by the Board of Trustees.
* Motion 3: Section 3(a) Compliance with Legislation
In accordance with HPEDSB Governance Directive 7.1 March 2023, Board Members’ Code of Conduct (“the Code”) and applicable sections of the Ontario Education Act, and taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the investigator outlined in his report to the HPEDSB Board of Trustees dated October 24, 2024, regarding allegations of breaches of the Code by Trustee Rachael Prinzen and the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen on November 20, 2024, regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB Board of Trustees confirms their determination that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached Section 3(a) of the Code for failing to comply with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by disclosing confidential and personal information contrary to that Act.
* Motion 4: Section 1(d) Trustee Integrity and Dignity of Office
In accordance with HPEDSB Governance Directive 7.1 March 2023, Board Members’ Code of Conduct (“the Code”) and applicable sections of the Ontario Education Act, and taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the investigator outlined in his report to the HPEDSB Board of Trustees dated October 24, 2024, regarding allegations of breaches of the Code by Trustee Rachael Prinzen and the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen on November 20, 2024, regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB Board of Trustees confirms their determination that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached Section 1(d) of the Code for failing to keep her comments issue-based and not personal and avoid making demeaning or disparaging comments respecting Board staff or fellow Board members.
* Motion 5: Sanctions
In accordance with the Education Act and the HPEDSB Members’ Code of Conduct, the HPEDSB Trustees, having confirmed that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached the Members’ Code of Conduct as outlined in the Board motions making those determinations and taking into consideration the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen on November 20, 2024, regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB confirms the following sanctions: that Trustee Prinzen be barred from attending all or part of a meeting of the Board, or a committee thereof, and from sitting on one or more of the Board’s committees commencing January 6, 2025, for a period of 90 days.
* Motion 6: Communication of Board Decisions
The Chair of the Board, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, shall give Trustee Rachael Prinzen written notice of the decision to confirm the determinations together with reasons for the decisions and written notice of the decision to confirm the sanctions imposed by the Board of Trustees.
External committee reports
Food for Learning Committee, November 14, 2024
