Board chair expects resignation from Amy Coulter



As the Lincoln County School District Board of Directors struggled to deal with a $5-million deficit this spring that led to about 60 full time equivalent teaching and staff positions being eliminated and the closure of Yaquina View Elementary School, one board member has been absent for nearly three months. With the exception of a May 28 budget meeting, director Amy Coulter has not attended a board session since April 14.

Coulter represents Lincoln City and the northern end of the school district. Elected in 2007, she is halfway through her four-year term as the Zone 1 director.

The five-person board of directors only needs three members present to conduct business, so her absence has not stopped the board from making decisions.

“It’s been really regretful that she hasn’t been able to be there,” said Jean Turner, who served as board chair during the 2008-09 school year, which ended June 30. “It’s a whole area of our county that isn’t getting a voice. Right now, Amy’s inability to attend the meetings as regularly as we wish is probably hurting the representation in that area a bit, but when we make our decisions, we think of the whole district.”

The district does not have a specific policy on what constitutes an excused absence by a board member. Turner said generally an illness or illness in the family is excused.

“She works, she’s been taking classes and she has two little girls. A busy lady,” Turner said.

According to Oregon law, the board must declare a position vacant if the board member ceases to discharge their duties for two consecutive months unless prevented by sickness or other unavoidable cause or when they cease to discharge their duties for four consecutive months.

“We expect a letter of resignation,” said newly appointed board chairwoman Jana Cowan. “And so we’re waiting for that, and if we don’t hear within four months of absences then we will take action.”

What constitutes discharging duties under the law is not specified. Coulter has missed six board meetings since April 14 and a two-day board retreat. Cowan said she does not believe that Coulter’s attendance of a budget committee meeting in May resets the four-month clock.

If Coulter resigns, or her position is declared vacant, the board would appoint a new member who would serve until the next school board election.

During Coulter’s absence, the board dealt with a $5.2-million budget deficit that resulted in about 30 full time equivalent (FTE) teacher positions and 30 FTE staff position being cut. To deal with their share of the deficit, Newport school administrators recommended the closure of Yaquina View Elementary along with a major reconfiguration of the remaining three Newport schools, including the establishment of a prep academy for seventh and eighth-graders at the high school.

After a community meeting and work session - neither attended by Coulter - the board approved the reconfiguration on July 14.

Attempts to contact Coulter for a comment on this story were unsuccessful.



Larry Coonrod can be reached at 265-8571 ext 211 or larry@newportnewstimes.com.



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