April 12, 2005 > Statement regarding personnel questions

by Gary Leatherman

The Fremont Unified School District Superintendent and Board of Education have released the statement below regarding their responsibility to maintain confidentiality in personnel decisions:

"As School Board members or district administrators, we are restricted by the laws regulating the privacy rights of employees from commenting on any confidential personnel matters. The law dictates that the School Board must meet in closed session to consider and act on the discipline, dismissal and release of public employees to protect their right to privacy. This right to privacy keeps the public from knowing about, reviewing or commenting on employee evaluations or discipline.

"Consequently the public employer can not release such information without consent of the employee in question. Thus, while an employee or members of the public can make allegations about an employee, the Board, by law is constrained from responding in any way.

"We accept the responsibility the law places on the District to respect and maintain the confidentiality of student and personnel matters by not responding to sensitive personnel issues in any way. Rest assured, our mission is clear and beyond dispute; there is nothing more important than ensuring the education and well being of our students. Thank you for your continuing support and understanding."