North PEC education board trustee sanctioned for breaches of code of conduct

NOV. 25 UPDATE: At its meeting Nov. 25, the board reviewed Prinzen’s appeal in closed session and, in open session, announced it would uphold its decisions from earlier this month which decided she breached its code of conduct.

Prinzen is barred from attending all board and committee meetings for a period of 90 days beginning Jan. 6.

NOV. 7: Hastings Prince Edward District School Board trustees sanctioned North Prince Edward County trustee Rachael Prinzen for alleged breaches of its code of conduct.

Trustees, following an in-camera meeting, voted Prinzen had breached five sections of the code and barred the trustee from attending all board and committee meetings for 90 days beginning Jan. 6.

The board stated the report and discussion will not be disclosed as they contain confidential, “deeply personal” and sensitive information. However, breaches made by publicly-elected officials must be made public.

Stated code violations included:
– “failing to keep confidential information disclosed at a closed board or committee meeting and divulging such confidential information without authorization by the board, or required by law”;
-“failing to comply with the municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by disclosing confidential and personal information”;
– “failing to accept that authority rests with the board of trustees and that a trustee has no individual authority other than that delegated by the board of trustees”;
– failed to keep her comments issue-based and not personal and to avoid making demeaning or disparaging comments respecting board staff or fellow board members

It was decided she did not breach four other sections of code investigated.

The vote carried 6-3. Opposed were Ernie Parsons, Ron Speck and Erica Charlton. In favour, were trustees Sandra Maracle, Kandis Hambly, Amanda Robertson, Stacey Lewis, Kari Kramp and board chair Shannon Binder.

Prinzen has 14 days after the notice is received to make written submissions to the board regarding the sanctions and determinations.

As North Prince Edward trustee, Prinzen represents CML Snider, Kente, Massassaga-Rednersville, and Sophiasburgh schools.