POLAND — Concerns about unanswered emails from board members was a major topic of discussion at Poland’s recent Board of Education meeting.

Stephanie Dougherty, who served on the levy committee last year, said she sent emails to each board member and got no reply.

“We are a divided community,” Dougherty said Monday. “The recent emergency levy passed by a mere 201 votes.”

She was referring to the March 19 passage of a 1.77-mill emergency operating levy that brings in approximately $1 million each year. It passed by a vote of 2,235 for and 2,034 against. To Dougherty, that margin was too narrow.

She was concerned and said she wanted to reach out to the board members with some ideas. When she sent out the emails, the only responses came from Superintendent Craig Hockenberry and Treasurer Janet Muntean.

Hockenberry replied to Dougherty concerning the matter and informed her the board members couldn’t respond.

“Under the sunshine law, if the board responded to a mass email (to all board members), it would constitute a meeting,” he said.

He said that is why none of the board members responded. It was not that they didn’t want to, but they simply chose not to violate the Sunshine Laws. As superintendent, he could and did respond to the email sent by Dougherty.

The email Dougherty sent contained ideas to help get levy information out to voters so they could “be better informed.”

“It is imperative that our citizens be educated on school funding,” Dougherty said. “They need just a basic understanding.”

She mentioned using the district’s web page to help with the campaign, and have meetings with the people.

Dr. Laurent Dinopoulos, as well as the other four board members, said they received the email and read it.

“Everything said in that email was done,” he said. “But everyone does not attend those meetings when they are held.”

Board member Jeff Sabin said there was a tremendous amount of information available.

Dougherty thanked everyone at the meeting, claiming she was unaware of the Sunshine Laws involving emails.

In other business, the board:

l Approved a contract with PaveConnect National Paving Services to repave the Poland Seminary High School parking lot and do drainage work. Hockenberry said it would cost $1.1 million and also would include a section of Dobbins Road.

l The board accepted donations of $100 from an anonymous donor to be used for the Interact Club, and a $750 donation to the Class of 2024 by a former PSHS alumnus.

Have an interesting news story? Email J.T. Whitehouse at jtwhitehouse@vindy.com.