The Syracuse City School Board has initiated the formal process to remove one of its own members, Cherylene “Twiggy” Billue, just weeks after she secured re-election for a second term. The board passed a resolution during a brief, last-minute meeting, citing unspecified conduct as grounds for her potential ouster.
The unanimous vote marks an extraordinary step in local governance, setting the stage for a formal hearing that could strip the publicly elected official of her position. District officials have remained tight-lipped about the specific allegations, leaving the community seeking answers.
Key Takeaways
- The Syracuse City School Board voted unanimously to begin removal proceedings against member Cherylene “Twiggy” Billue.
- Billue had just won re-election to a second four-year term in November.
- The district has not publicly disclosed the specific conduct that prompted the resolution.
- The process will involve drafting written charges and holding a formal hearing.
- Billue has been absent from recent board meetings and has not yet been sworn in for her new term.
A Swift and Silent Decision
The decisive action took place during a special meeting convened at 4:30 p.m. on a Friday, the day after Christmas. The meeting, which was not live-streamed, concluded in approximately one minute. Board members present voted in favor of the resolution without any public discussion or debate on the matter.
Following the vote, board members and district representatives declined to provide details regarding the resolution or the underlying reasons for it. A spokesperson for the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) confirmed that no comments would be made on the issue. The resolution itself, which calls for drafting formal charges against Billue, was not made available to the public until after the meeting had concluded.
Meeting Details
The special meeting was notable for its lack of transparency. An incomplete agenda was posted only two hours prior, and unlike most board meetings, it was not broadcast for public viewing. This has led to increased public scrutiny over the board's handling of the situation.
Billue was not present at the Friday meeting. Board members Gwendolyn Raeford and Nyatwa Bullock were also absent. This follows a pattern of recent absences for Billue, who also missed a business meeting on December 10 and a special meeting and work session on December 17.
The Path to Removal
Removing a duly elected school board member in New York is an uncommon but legally defined process. State law allows for the removal of board members who have neglected their duties, violated laws, or broken school rules. The board's resolution is the critical first step in this procedure.
The next phase involves the drafting of specific, written charges against Billue. Once these charges are presented, a formal hearing will be scheduled. This hearing will provide a platform for evidence to be presented and for Billue to respond to the allegations leveled against her. The outcome of that hearing will determine her future on the board.
Role of a School Board Member
School board members in Syracuse serve four-year terms and are responsible for setting district policy, adopting the budget, and overseeing the superintendent. They earn an annual salary of $15,918 for their service. The removal of a member disrupts the elected representation of the community and requires a rigorous legal justification.
The situation is further complicated by the timing. A swearing-in ceremony for newly elected members, originally scheduled for December 18, was abruptly canceled. While re-elected member Karen Cordano and newly elected Michael Root have since been sworn in, Billue has not yet taken the oath of office for her second term.
Unanswered Questions and Community Concern
The board’s silence on the nature of Billue’s alleged misconduct has created an information vacuum. Cherylene “Twiggy” Billue, a longtime community activist in Syracuse, was first elected to the Board of Education in 2021 before winning another term this past November. Her public profile has made the board's actions a subject of intense local interest.
While the district has not officially connected the removal proceedings to any specific event, recent legal troubles involving Billue's family have drawn public attention. Earlier in December, an SCSD security guard filed a lawsuit against Billue’s son, Mered Billue, who is also a district employee. The lawsuit alleges sexual harassment.
In the complaint, the security guard claims that Mered Billue engaged in a pattern of unwanted advances culminating in an incident in January 2025 where he allegedly showed her an explicit photo. The suit further claims that another employee had a similar experience. The school district is also named as a defendant in this lawsuit.
It remains unclear if these allegations against her son are related to the board's action against Cherylene Billue. The district has not confirmed any link, and the resolution passed by the board refers only to unspecified conduct by the board member herself. Repeated attempts to reach Billue for comment have been unsuccessful.
As the district prepares to draft formal charges, the Syracuse community awaits clarification on the circumstances that led the Board of Education to take such a drastic step against one of its own recently re-elected members.
