JEFFERSON TWP — One member of the South Butler School Board wants to change how board meetings are conducted because of an incident that took place during the recently concluded contract dispute with teachers.

Board member George Zacherl on Monday advocated adding a section to the policy on board meetings that would allow board members with a topic to discuss to be added to the agenda.

He also recommended that board members be given time at each meeting to discuss pertinent topics.

Zacherl said his recommendation to be allowed to speak officially at meetings came from the March board meeting in which district solicitor Tom Breth presented a chart regarding the district's costs for various provisions on the table during the teacher negotiations.

Zacherl said he was not given a copy of the chart before the meeting and had no chance to research the numbers himself.

“At the next meeting, I wanted the chance to voice my opinion on that and I was told no,” Zacherl said.

Board member Rebecca Boyd said that was because contract negotiations were ongoing at the time.

Zacherl disagreed, saying the chart had more to do with the budget than contract negotiations.

“I completely disagree with the presentation that was made that night,” Zacherl said.

He said he was shot down because he did not agree with the other eight board members regarding the contract negotiations.

“It's like, if it's not what the majority wants, then shut up and sit there and you don't get to express your point,” Zacherl said.

But Donna Eakin, board vice president, took Zacherl to task over that statement, saying the board works as a team for the betterment of the district regardless of whether members agree or disagree on certain issues.

“We're all here to do the best we can for the students, teachers and staff and quite frankly I'm quite tired of hearing, 'I'm a minority,'” Eakin said. “It hurts me that you feel you have to position yourself like that.”

Matthew Cimbala, board president, rejected Zacherl's claim that he is silenced on the board.

“You have the opportunity to express your opinion at every board meeting,” Cimbala said.

“Not to the degree that I want,” Zacherl said.

David Foley, superintendent, said all board members have a chance to speak briefly during the “school board comments” portion of each meeting.

The board also discussed removing the question-and-answer period at the end of the agenda at voting meetings, as an ugly debate can sometimes ensue.

The purpose of the question-and-answer session, said Boyd, is for taxpayers to ask simple questions and not engage the board in a disrespectful debate.

Boyd said during contract negotiations, the board heard an audience member call Breth a vulgar name, and no action was taken.

Several board members agreed the individual should have been escorted from the meeting by security officers, who attended every meeting.

No action on either issue was taken at Monday's meeting.