SALT LAKE CITY — After hours of discussion in a closed-door meeting, the Utah State Board of Education stripped Natalie Klein of virtually all her powers as state education commissioner in response to online posts questioning the gender of student-athletes. The referendum passed a vote to remove the . . The board also asked her to resign immediately.
The accusations include her ability to vote, serve on committees, place items on the agenda and amend board rules. The formal disciplinary action from the Board of Directors is at the end of this story.
Parents of the female student-athlete at the center of the controversy demand the resignation of the school board member
After concluding the closed session, the board tabled a motion for members to vote on.
A) The Board requests that Director Mr. Klein resign immediately.
B) The Board will take the following actions:
1) As presented, we are issuing a formal censure resolution against Member Klein, effective February 14, 2024.
2) Remove Member Klein from all standing board committees and additional board committee assignments.
3) Prohibit member Klein from placing items on future board meeting agendas.
4) Prohibit Klein members from attending Board of Directors advisory committee meetings.
C) These measures are consistent with the USBE Bylaws and are effective immediately and will remain in effect until December 31, 2024.
However, some USBE board members made a motion to vote if Action A was voted on alone and Actions B and C were voted together. The vote was rejected by a vote of 5 to 9.
The board unanimously passed the original motion, censuring Klein, stripping her of most of her authority on the board, and ending the session.
Mr. Klein was absent from the meeting and did not vote on the motion.
closed meeting
Before the USBE meeting, KSL TV interviewed one of the board members, Sara Real, who said there is a reason why some board meetings are held behind closed doors.
“The purpose of that is to try to have unity of opinion when we make decisions because we are a board of directors. So whenever I make a decision or we make a decision, it's That’s what the board said and that’s how this governing body works,” she said.
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The Board of Directors holds a closed executive meeting once a month. Although this particular meeting was scheduled by leadership in response to Klein's situation, closed meetings are standard protocol for board personnel matters.
Klein's allegations against the board
Earlier in the day, Klein took aim at the board by posting on his Facebook page alleging election interference from USBE.
“Has USBE ever analyzed whether this investigation constitutes election interference?” USBE says that at this time (within 60 days of the Salt Lake County Republican Convention) USBE supports my opponent in the primary. Have I considered whether my constituents think any action will be taken against me? Could you please send me a legal analysis on this issue? ” Klein said in a letter to the board.
Posted by Natalie Klein, parents of Utah transgender teen seeking understanding on bathroom law
In response to Ms. Klein's interference claim, the Board stated that the law she cited, UCA 63A-14, does not apply to USBE members and that, since the complaint was filed in February, Mr. Klein calculated that 60 He said the day deadline was inaccurate. It's the 7th, not Wednesday.
The commission also stated that the Salt Lake County nominating convention is not considered an election under Utah law and does not fall under UCA 63A-14.
The purpose of that is because we are a board of directors, so we try to have a unified voice when making decisions. So whenever I make a decision or we make a decision, it's what the board said and that's how this governing body works.
Utah House of Representatives launches resolution to address Education Commissioner Natalie Klein's conduct
Utah State Board of Education formally censures member Natalie Klein by LarryDCurtis on Scribd
