The board discussed the issue in open session per Romere's request after initially posting the discussion as a closed session. After about one-and-a-half hours of discussion, the board agreed to turn the issue over to Williamson County. Trustees Romere and Bobby Seiferman voted against the measure.
The email in question was from a parent concerning school boundary changes which Romere forwarded to another member of the community without redacting the parent's email address.
The email was forwarded to Erik Okerholm who publicly opposed current boundary recommendations and proposed a plan supporting vertical alignment at the Jan. 19 meeting.
“I wasn't knowingly or intentionally breaking the law. There was nothing [in the district's policy] that said you can't forward an email,” Romere said. “The intent was to foster communication and to bring people together on a very divisive issue.”
“This is what I call retaliation against a board member who is in disagreement, and I feel like I'm a target today. You've taken a mistake ... and have blown it up.”
According to the district's legal policy, a person, including a board member, commits a criminal offense if the person distributes information considered confidential under the Public Information Act.
According to the Texas Public Information Act, the email addresses of members of the public who communicate with the government are confidential.
Romere's attorney, Ross Fischer, said the forwarded email does not violate the act because it was not disclosed in response to a public information request.
“I think [legal authorities] should be the judge of whether or not this was an illegal act. We are not in a position to deal with anything other than our policies,” Trustee Diane Cox said.
Board members agreed that the legal aspect of the act is out of their hands, but some pointed out that the board should discuss any ethical ramifications.
“It has been our policy not to disclose email addresses. I would be very, very concerned that members of the public couldn't communicate with us without fear of retaliation,” board member Catherine Hanna said.
According to district officials, the violation in question is considered “official misconduct” under the Public Information Act and is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. Additionally, official misconduct by a school board trustee can be cause for removal from the board.
Latest Comments
Her actions were unethical
Posted by Concerned RRISD Parent February 03, 2012 22:41:34
Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees
Posted by mamad@yahoo.com February 03, 2012 15:22:28
care too much about the people
Posted by anonymous February 03, 2012 15:00:16
bob@yahoo.com
Posted by Bob February 03, 2012 10:11:26