The Syracuse City School Board of Education is set to conduct a public hearing today to determine whether to remove Commissioner Twiggy Billue from her elected position. The specific charges against Billue, which have been withheld from the public for weeks, are expected to be officially released during the proceedings at Nottingham High School.
The move to oust a sitting commissioner stems from an incident involving Billue's interaction with a teacher and principal at her grandson's school. Following the hearing, the board will convene a special meeting to vote on her removal.
Key Takeaways
- The Syracuse City School Board will hold a public hearing to consider removing Commissioner Twiggy Billue.
- The charges relate to an incident where Billue advocated for her grandson at his school, an action she states was taken as a grandmother, not an official.
- The Syracuse Teachers Association filed a formal complaint against Billue on October 8, alleging a violation of school visit policies.
- Experts note that the removal of an elected school board member through this process is highly unusual.
The Public Hearing Unfolds
The hearing is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Nottingham High School and will be open to the public. For those unable to attend in person, the school board will livestream both the hearing and the subsequent special meeting where the vote will take place.
For weeks, the board has declined to specify the reasons for the removal hearing, a decision Board President Tamica Barnett attributed to legal advice from district lawyers. This has created a climate of uncertainty, with Commissioner Billue herself stating she believes the charges should have been made public earlier. Billue received a copy of the charges nearly two weeks ago and will have the opportunity to formally respond during the hearing.
At the Heart of the Controversy
The central issue appears to be an interaction Billue had at her grandson's school. During a board meeting on January 10, Billue explained that she and her husband help care for their grandson, who she said was being bullied.
“I was not acting as commissioner. I did not identify myself as commissioner, nor did I suggest that I was acting in my official capacity,” Billue stated at the January meeting. “I did not attempt to exert influence, issue directions or invoke my position in any way.”
Her lawyer, Douglas Bullock, confirmed she entered the school and spoke with staff as a concerned grandmother would. However, this action prompted a formal complaint from the Syracuse Teachers Association on October 8. Union President Nicole Capsello confirmed the complaint alleges Billue violated the district's policy on school visits but did not provide further details.
Timeline of Events
- October 8: Syracuse Teachers Association files a formal complaint against Billue.
- October: An investigation into the matter is active, with interviews being conducted.
- January 5: Billue is sworn in for her new term after being re-elected in the fall.
- January 10: Billue publicly addresses the school visit incident at a board meeting.
- Tonight: The public removal hearing and subsequent vote are held.
An investigation into Billue's conduct was reportedly underway as early as October, following the union's complaint. Multiple requests for copies of the complaint and the investigation under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) were denied by the Syracuse City School District, citing privacy concerns.
An Uncommon Proceeding
The process of removing a sitting, elected school board member is exceptionally rare. Legal experts and election officials have highlighted the unusual nature of the situation, which typically sees vacancies arise from resignations or deaths, not forced removals.
Dustin Czarny, the Onondaga County Elections Commissioner, commented on the rarity of such an action. “Usually vacancies happen when somebody gets a job or we’ve had deaths. This is a weird one,” Czarny said. “I don’t remember a removal from a local committee.”
Worona explained that school boards are generally hesitant to overturn the results of an election. “When (members) violate the law, they violate their oath of office, that’s a different story,” he noted, emphasizing the high standard required for removal.
What Happens Next
Following the presentation of charges and Billue's response, the board will move directly to a special meeting to vote on her removal. The outcome of this vote will determine her immediate future on the board she was just re-elected to this past fall.
Should the board vote in favor of her removal, Billue will have a 30-day window to appeal the decision. The appeal would be made to the State Education Commissioner, Betty A. Rosa, who would have the final say on whether the Syracuse board's action was justified.
Billue first won her seat on the Board of Education in 2021 and was successfully re-elected for a new term, which she began on January 5, just days before the controversy became more widely known.