The Pine-Richland School Board again fell into turmoil as it sought to revise its Board Procedure policy at a meeting Jan. 22.

Though most changes met with little to no debate, a brief spat arose when board member Amy Terchick sought to revise a policy that asks members to sign a document called “Principles of Governance for School Board Directors.” The document, normally signed at the beginning of a member’s term, is a series of bulleted goals and tenets under larger themed subheads such as “lead responsibly,” “advocate earnestly” and “act ethically.”

Terchick’s proposed revision would have removed a board member from officer or committee chair positions if they did not sign the document within 60 days of receiving it. The move appeared directed at board member Christina Brussalis, the only member who has consistently refused to sign the document.

Her refusal to sign was made public by a right-to-know request filed by Jennifer Beuse, a Pine-Richland parent.

Brussalis explained that she was wary of certain language in the document like the verbs “promote” and “champion” when referring to public education. She said she also felt it violated her First Amendment rights.

“It’s a feel-good policy. That doesn’t mean it’s a good policy,” Brussalis said.

In 2023, Brussalis voted in favor of the language currently used in the document, however. She said she doesn’t disagree with the “basic general ideas.”

Board Solicitor Matthew Hoffman said the board could not compel Brussalis to sign the document, but he noted that it did not violate her constitutional rights.

Terchick pushed back on Brussalis, saying the document included aspirational goals for board conduct, not enforced mandates.

“If this is the goal that we’re going to work toward these things, then we sign it,” Terchick said. “And if you’re not going to sign it, you’re not operating in good faith.”

Superintendent Brian Miller, who cannot vote with the board, said he believed it was “beneficial to aspire to goals” and saw value in “having principles.”

Board President Phillip Morrissette, however, said the proposed revision was “absolutely unnecessary,” saying some members who signed the document didn’t act in line with it anyway.

His comments were met with disapproving shouts from the public, causing Morrissette to issue the increasingly common threat to clear the room and move the meeting online.

Ultimately, the board rejected Terchick’s revision, 3-4. Ashley Fortier, Terchick and Joseph Cassidy voted in favor while Brussalis, Morrissette, Lisa Hillman and Michael Wiethorn voted against. Leslie Miller and Marc Casciani were not present for the vote.

After the meeting, Brussalis said it was her policy not to sign anything she doesn’t have to. Though she said she believes she abides by the goals laid out in the document, Brussalis said it has become “weaponized” against her.

“I wouldn’t devote all this time if I didn’t believe in public education,” she said.

Terchick said the document represents a board member’s commitment to “try” to follow the principles of governance, and there have been several opportunities to amend the verbiage.

“I was disappointed but not surprised that other board members did not want to assign accountability to a board member who fails to try and follow these guidelines,” she said.

Several members of the public spoke later, often criticizing Brussalis for refusing to sign and shaming the board for voting down Terchick’s proposal. Anne Meyers defended the public’s frequent heckling.

“It is the only way we get any attention from you,” Meyers said. “Don’t act surprised when we call things out; it is the only way you actually seem to hear us or acknowledge our existence.”

Approved Board Procedure amendments from the Jan. 22 meeting will be included as an information item during the school board’s Feb. 24 meeting.

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