School Committee Member Files Open Meeting Law Complain Against Own Board

STOUGHTON, MA — A member of the Stoughton School Committee has once again filed open meeting law complaints against the board.

Tuesday night, the school committee voted to take no action against two complaints filed by committee member Joaquin Soares. The vote was 4-1, with Soares as the only vote in the negative.

In his first complaint, Soares alleges that he was scolded by the school committee and Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi during a June 7 executive session for not being a team player and criticized his open meeting law complaints.

“Stoughton School Committee used it to intimidate and tame me as a member. I assert the Stoughton Committee violated the open meeting law on June 7,” the complaint read.

The other members of the board denied the accusation.

“I’m ready to have this go forward to the AG’s office. I feel what we’re accused of is not factual. I would like this to go forward to the AG’s office,” committee chairperson Katie Pina-Enokian said.

Soares second accusation pertained to two votes that took place on June 21. During the meeting, the board had a discussion on the superintendent’s goals and the CHARMS collaborative. Both items had a vote, which was not listed on the agenda, a violation according to Soares.

Pina-Enokian said the board is allowed to vote on items that are placed on the agenda for discussion.

“The way I read the open meeting law, when you make an agenda, it’s fine to take action on any item. I feel this should go to the AG,” she said.

In both cases, Soares wanted the board to admit to wrong doing, commit to making accurate agendas and minutes, and hold new votes at a future meeting. The board declined action.

The complaints are Soares’ seventh and eighth against the board, according to the complaint.