The following is a press statement received from the Bayport-Blue Point School District Thursday regarding the public protest over a dinner meeting held at Blue restaurant Tuesday night to welcome the new district superintendent, which came under fire by several residents when it was learned district funds would be paying for the event.
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Statement from Board President James March:
On behalf of the Board of Education, I wish to apologize for the events surrounding the dinner hosted for our new superintendent of schools on Tuesday evening. We were operating under the mistaken belief that our board's modest discretionary funds could be utilized to cover recognitions of this nature. What we have come to learn is that this is not permissible under board policy.
Prior to the start of the event, Board Trustee William Milligan covered the cost of 10 meals at the board table. Following the dinner, Trustee Rebecca Campbell made a donation toward the event. And after receiving clarification on the policy, the rest of the members of the Board of Education have committed to covering the remainder of the balance.
No district funds were ever actually paid to the restaurant.
The dinner was a dignified event to enthusiastically welcome our new district leader. I look forward to focusing on this exciting new chapter in our district.
