Published: May 28, 2008 12:00 am            

NEWFANE: School board annuls May 18 meeting

NEWFANE — A special school board meeting held to rescind a previous decision, ended up getting rescinded itself.

In a 7-0 vote Tuesday night, the Newfane Board of Education decided to annul the May 18 meeting that was called by member Carl Stieffenhofer. Prior to the vote, the board went into executive session to discuss the matter with the school district’s attorney, Karl Kristoff of Hodgson and Russ.

“It was the advice of our legal counsel to do so,” said Superintendent Gary Pogorzelski of the board’s decision to eliminate the meeting and void any action the board took.

Stieffenhofer originally called for the meeting to ask the board to reverse its decision about paying for any legal fees board President Donna Pieszala would come across in her defense of a complaint Stieffenhofer filed against her with the state education department. He cited a law that says she could be represented by an attorney if there was a conflict of interest with the school district attorney. Pieszala and board Vice President Gretchen DeWitt were not present.

As a result of Tuesday’s meeting, Pieszala legal fees will be paid by the district, which is what the board originally agreed on before the May 18 meeting. She can also choose an outside attorney for any legal work related to the complaint.

“It’s a good step,” Pieszala said. “Hopefully we can keep moving forward.”

Residents spoke out at the May 18 meeting, some questioning if it were even legal in the first place. Resident Brian Hellner said at Tuesday’s meeting, Stieffenhofer should repay the district for what the May 18 meeting cost in tax dollars.

“If the meeting was illegal, Mr. Stieffenhofer should reimburse the taxpayers of this district for all of the expenses incurred, including any attorney fees,” Hellner said. “How much has it cost the taxpayers?”

Hellner said a video clip of the meeting was put on the Newfane CARES Web site, www.newfanecares.org. Newfane CARES is a school district watchdog group.

Toward the end of Tuesday night’s meeting, board member David Adams apologized for the heated exchange he had with Stieffenhofer at the May 18 meeting. Stieffenhofer walked over to Adams and shook his hand.

In other board news, retired teacher Roger Marchione was appointed interim assistant principal at Newfane High School for the remainder of the school year. Assistant Principal Peter Young will be out on medical leave. Marchione will be paid $250 a day.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick

at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

        

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