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Friday's Internet Edition, September 03, 2010.
Oelsner under fire for endorsement e-mail
Teachers calling for censure of GHS board member
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Galt High School Board Member Art Oelsner
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By Rachael Ackerman
Herald Editor
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Less than a week after he was advised not to park his personal vehicle on district property when it is covered with campaign signs, Galt High School Board Member Art Oelsner is under fire for an e-mail received by a number of Galt High School staff and teachers.
Teachers reported receiving e-mail from Oelsner at the district e-mail addresses on Oct. 23 that contained specific endorsements for high school board candidates, Norman Pearson, Gus Prouty and Diann Kitimura, in the 2008 campaign – an action the teachers say is a direct violation of both district board policy and the California Education Code.
“Mr. Oelsner’s latest infraction is only the last in a long pattern of unethical behavior he has exhibited as a board member,” said president of the GHS Teacher Union Alex Bauer. “Along with harassing athletic coaches and parking his campaign sign on school campus, he has now sent a political e-mail in support of board candidates. His political e-mail to the staff violated district policy and the education code and was sent just a few days after Principal Olmos sent a reminder to staff about what constitutes inappropriate political electioneering on campus.”
Bauer said Oelsner’s e-mail violated board policy, A/R 4119.25, which mirrors California Education Code 7054, which prohibits any school from using district funds, services, supplies or equipment for the “purpose of urging the support or defeat of any ballot measure or candidate.”
The e-mail was sent to more than 65 e-mail addresses, including Oelsner’s fellow board members, family, and GHS teachers and staff.
District Superintendent Tom Gemma issued a memo upon notification of the e-mail confirming that the e-mail was a violation of district policy and that Oelsner had “apologized” for the e-mail he described as “bulk” being received by district staff e-mail addresses. Gemma asks that any district employee receiving such e-mail in the future notify site administration immediately.
Since that time, Gemma has said, while the district policy and ed code are specific to district employees, Oelsner, as an elected official, is not an employee and that the e-mail was sent from a personal site – creating a situation that needs to be discussed at the board level, among Oelsner’s peers.
“The e-mail was sent from Mr. Oelsner’s personal computer, not from a district computer or address,” said Gemma. “It is a situation that Mr. Oelsner, Mr. Bauer and the teachers, and the board are going to have to decide how to handle. This is a board issue.”
In a statement issued on behalf of the teachers, Bauer said the union “explores its legal options,” and he would be asking the board to pass a motion of censure against Oelsner.
A censure is a public action taken by a board or council that condemns the actions taken by one of their peers. If passed, a censure bears no penalty to the board member and has no official effect on the status of the board member.
“By passing this motion, the board can clarify whether they condone this type of behavior or whether it will be swept under the rug,” said Bauer. The school board has adopted a character pledge, and I ask them to do the right thing and uphold that pledge.”
Gemma said he has asked Bauer to put his concerns in writing and submit them to the board president. At that time, the board will conduct an investigation into the concerns and work with the teachers union to solve the issue.
Oelsner did not respond to attempts to make contact for comment.
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