Three Strikes for Comstock Trustee as Board Escalates Conflict With No-Trespass Order
*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 concerns about his conduct. On March 9, a 5-1 vote removed Hathaway from nearly all committees, barring him from leadership roles, and reissuing a no-trespass order.
Newly obtained documents spanning nearly six years outline a pattern of repeated warnings, restrictions and alleged violations involving Comstock Public Schools Trustee Dr. Richard 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.
While the volume of documentation offers the most comprehensive look yet at the situation, key questions remain unanswered. 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.
Six-Year Pattern of Restrictions and Alleged Violations
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.
In August and September 2022, Thoenes accused Hathaway of violating communication protocols and contacting staff outside the established chain of command. 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 escalate further as the board began imposing additional limitations on Hathaway's ability to participate in district operations. The superintendent documented instances where Hathaway was seen in school facilities without proper authorization, raising questions about whether the trustee was respecting the boundaries established by previous board actions.
Communication Protocol Violations Become Central Issue
The documents reveal that communication protocol violations became a central issue in the conflict between Hathaway and district leadership. Thoenes noted multiple instances where Hathaway contacted staff members directly, bypassing the established hierarchy and interfering with day-to-day operations.
These violations reportedly continued through 2024 and 2025, with the superintendent filing formal complaints each time Hathaway was observed engaging in unauthorized interactions with district employees. The pattern of behavior allegedly undermined the professional relationship between the board and administration, creating an environment of tension and mistrust.
March 9 Vote Marks Watershed Moment
On March 9, the board took decisive action in response to what it described as a sustained pattern of misconduct. The 5-1 vote removed Hathaway from nearly all committees, effectively stripping him of his ability to influence district policy and operations. The no-trespass order was also reinstated, preventing Hathaway from accessing school property unless he was participating in official board activities.
Board President Pamela Dickinson addressed the board's concerns during the meeting, emphasizing the need for clear boundaries between board members and district operations. She stated that board members are civil servants, not education experts, and must maintain appropriate distance from day-to-day decision-making.
Questions Remain About Full Story
While the documents provide extensive detail about the conflict, key questions remain unanswered. Both Hathaway and Dickinson declined to provide direct responses to the allegations in recent communications with news outlets. Without these perspectives, it is difficult to fully understand whether the escalating situation reflects a genuine breakdown in protocol, a series of misunderstandings, or an increasingly adversarial relationship between the trustee and district leadership.
The documents also do not address whether Hathaway believes his actions were necessary to fulfill his role as an elected official, or if he disagrees with the board's interpretation of his conduct and the restrictions placed upon him.
What Comes Next
The third censure marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Hathaway and the Comstock Public Schools Board. The no-trespass order prevents Hathaway from accessing school property unless he is participating in official board activities, severely limiting his ability to observe operations or interact with staff.
With Hathaway removed from all committees and barred from leadership roles, his influence on district policy has been effectively neutralized. However, the question remains whether this outcome resolves the underlying tensions or sets the stage for further legal or political challenges.
The situation continues to develop, and both sides may pursue additional avenues to express their positions and seek remedies for what they perceive as unfair treatment.