Trinity approves nepotism policy

Relatives of Trinity School District employees and board members need not apply.
By a 5-2-2 vote, the school board approved an updated nepotism policy Thursday that prevents the hiring of relatives of employees and board members.
Board member Tamara Salvatori asked that the policy be sent back to the policy committee for review, but a majority of the board did not want that to happen.
She said she’s concerned the district may miss out on good teachers by drawing this line in the sand.
However, board member Colleen Interval said the opposite is true – Trinity has missed out on good teachers by hiring relatives instead of the best candidates.
Board member Henry Clemens said he would like to see a stronger hiring policy instead of the focus on nepotism. Then, he said, there wouldn’t be discussion of voting to suspend a policy to hire someone.
“If you have a policy, you should stand by the policy,” he said.
Interval and board members Sandra Clutter, Scott Day, Jack Keisling and Tom Bodnovich voted for the policy. Interval and board member Jim Knapp voted against it. Clemens and board member Dennis McWreath abstained.
The board also voted on the policy in May, but it was not passed because it was a 4-3 vote. Trinity needs a majority of the board, or five members, to approve policy changes.
The board also discussed the process of approving policies after community members again asked about those procedures.
Superintendent Paul Kasunich said a policy brought up for the first time Thursday would be up for a vote at the meeting later this month unless it was referred to the policy committee. Then it would come up again at the first meeting next month before final approval.
McWreath questioned if that’s how the district’s policy approval reads.
Solicitor Dennis Makel said the policy says nothing about first or second readings. However, that has been the practice of the board. Makel said the Trinity documents are “vaguely worded” and suggested the board come up with a more specific policy.
Kasunich said he would bring an updated policy to the board that includes information about first and second readings.
The questions came up from Trinity residents concerned about a new policy for hiring athletic coaches, directors and supervisors. The board decided to send that to the policy committee for review. The next policy committee will be 4 p.m. June 15 in the administrative offices.