Syracuse, NY – City School Board President Tamica Barnett says the effort to remove Commissioner Twiggy Billue from her elected seat is unrelated to a recent lawsuit filed against Billue’s son, who works for the district.
“This matter is unrelated to the matter raised in the lawsuit,” Barnett told syracuse.com | Post-standard Monday.
A district employee sued Mered Billue this month, accusing him of sexual harassment. Mered Billue is the district’s dean of students.
In a vote the day after Christmas and about a week before Billue begins the new term, the school board claimed it had “probable cause” to remove Billue. A member of the board may be dismissed for neglect of duty or violation of laws or school rules.
Barnett said she was unable to say more about what led to the effort to remove Billue, citing advice from district attorneys.
Neither the board nor the district said what actions landed Billue in trouble. Details are likely to be revealed during a public hearing in January.
Billue declined several interview requests from syracuse.com.
That hearing will be held the week of Jan. 19 at Nottingham High School, Barnett said. The exact date has not been set.
As of Dec. 29, Billue had not yet been nominated for another term as a board member, Barnett said. Billue won re-election in November.
The planned swearing-in ceremony of all election winners was canceled at the last minute. Two other board members who won the election were carried in private.
Billue has 30 days from the start of her term to be officially sworn in. That means the end of January.
Someone who has not been carried cannot participate in official duties such as voting. If he doesn’t dress up within 30 days, he loses his place.
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