Board Issues Third Censure Following Closed Session Discussion of Trustee Behavior

*COMSTOCK, Mich.* — The Comstock Public Schools Board of Education has issued its third censure of Trustee Dr. Richard Hathaway, following a closed session in which board members discussed ongoing concerns about his conduct and interactions with district staff.

On March 9, a 5-1 vote removed Hathaway from nearly all committees, barred him from leadership roles within the district, and reissued a no-trespass order that prevents him from accessing school property unless he is participating in official board activities.

"Hathaway has a propensity to get involved with the operations of the district, which is far below the board level," School Board President Pamela Dickinson said during the public meeting. "As board members, we are not experts on education. We are civil servants."

Six-Year Pattern of Warnings and Restrictions

Newly obtained documents spanning nearly six years outline a pattern of repeated warnings, restrictions, and alleged violations involving Trustee Hathaway, culminating in the board's recent third censure. The records, provided by Superintendent Jeffrey Thoenes, detail ongoing concerns about Hathaway's interactions with district staff, communication practices, and physical presence on school property dating back to 2020.

According to district records, concerns about Hathaway's conduct began on March 2, 2020, when Thoenes first restricted Hathaway's access to school property, citing unannounced visits that were described as disruptive to students and staff.

"Over the next several years, the superintendent repeatedly reiterated those restrictions," district officials explained. "In August and September 2022, Thoenes accused Hathaway of violating communication protocols and contacting staff outside the established chain of command."

The situation escalated throughout the years. By December 2022, after Hathaway had been re-elected to the board, the restrictions remained in place, limiting his access to school buildings during the day without prior approval.

In 2023, the conflict appeared to intensify further. Superintendent Thoenes documented additional instances where Hathaway's behavior crossed professional boundaries, according to internal communications.

Key Unanswered Questions

While the volume of documentation offers the most comprehensive look yet at the situation, key questions remain unanswered about the root causes of this escalating conflict.

"Without direct, one-on-one responses from either Hathaway or Board President Pamela Dickinson, it is difficult to fully determine whether the escalating conflict reflects a persistent breakdown in protocol, a series of misunderstandings, or an increasingly adversarial dynamic between a board member and district leadership," the article noted.

The documents reveal a six-year trajectory of board-superintendent friction that has progressively worsened over time, with each incident apparently leading to stricter restrictions on Hathaway's access to district operations.

What This Means for District Operations

The board's decision to remove Hathaway from nearly all committees and issue a no-trespass order represents a significant shift in how the board manages trustee conduct and maintains professional boundaries.

The no-trespass order specifically prevents Hathaway from:

  • Entering school buildings without prior approval from district administration
  • Attending school events outside of officially scheduled board meetings
  • Contacting district staff directly about operational matters

"The board has made it clear that trustee responsibilities are distinct from operational oversight," Dickinson stated. "Our role is to set policy and provide governance, not to manage day-to-day school operations."

Board Response and Next Steps

The Comstock Public Schools Board of Education plans to address the situation at an upcoming public meeting, where they will discuss whether additional measures are needed to ensure board governance remains focused on policy rather than operations.

District officials indicated they will continue to monitor the implementation of the no-trespass order and evaluate whether current protocols are sufficient to maintain appropriate boundaries between board members and district staff.

The board also plans to review communication protocols to ensure all interactions between trustees and district personnel follow established chains of command.

Community Impact

While the censure primarily affects internal district governance, the situation highlights ongoing challenges in school board management and trustee conduct that could have broader implications for other Michigan school districts facing similar issues.

The documents show that this is not an isolated incident but rather part of a six-year pattern of escalating tensions between board member and district administration.

"This situation underscores the importance of clear communication protocols and professional boundaries in school board governance," the article concluded. "Both trustees and district leaders must understand their respective roles to ensure effective oversight without operational overreach."

The Comstock Public Schools Board will continue to address governance issues at upcoming meetings, with Superintendent Jeffrey Thoenes expected to provide additional context about the board's decision-making process.