HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville City School Board member Ryan Renaud faces ethics complaints filed by former Huntsville City Schools employee. They allege that the board member, Ryan Renaud, took actions in 2021 and 2022 that "violated two provisions of the 'School Board Governance Improvement Act'".
Renaud offered the following statement:
“I wish nothing but the best to Mr. Ward in his retirement from Huntsville City Schools, and want to express a heartfelt note of gratitude to him for his many years of service to our school system & community.
It’s not uncommon for staff members (former or current) to disagree with decisions of the board. I encourage all HCS constituents to reach out and express their opinions & concerns. I also maintain an open dialogue with all who do. I appreciate his willingness to voice his concerns publicly. This sort of public dialogue is what makes public systems of governance function transparently, efficiently, and effectively.
Mr. Ward's complaint is baseless and without merit. I’m confident that my service on the Board of Education has been 100% compliant with the Alabama Code of Ethics & The School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012."
One alleged violation involves his vote in favor of changing a long-standing policy that barred family members of board members from working in city schools, shortly before he was to be married to a Huntsville City Schools teacher.
The other alleged violation concerns claims of Renaud discussing concerns about a principal at a school with a parent that included confidential information, including his speaking with the principal about their actions. The ethics complaint claims that this violates the following rule: "That, except to the extent otherwise provided by law, each member of a local board of education shall take formal action upon the written recommendation of and in consultation with the local superintendent of education, and may not individually or jointly attempt to direct or corrupt the operations of the school system in a manner that is inconsistent with the discharge of the statutory functions and responsibilities of the local superintendent of education."
READ:
Copy of Filed Ethics Complaint Pg 1
Copy of Filed Ethics Complaint Pg 2
Ethics Complaint Additional Information Attachment
According to the Alabama Ethics Commission website, "If the Complaint does state a violation of the Act, then we will assign it to an investigator for investigation. If after investigating the Complaint the investigators in consultation with the General Counsel and the Executive Director of the Commission determine that the allegations are credible, we will present the information to our Commissioners who will then determine whether probable cause exists that a violation has occurred. We will then either refer the matter to the Office of the Attorney General, the District Attorney in the location where the violation occurred, or impose an Administrative fine." The Commission has 180 days to determine whether probable cause exists. An extension of an additional 180 days may be granted.