The subject of absenteeism among board members was discussed at the Avonworth School Board’s work session on Monday, where board member David Oberdick pointed a finger at fellow board member Jeff Schmid.

Oberdick stated that he "wanted the minutes to reflect and the public to know" his concern that the board had a "non-functioning" member "who was not discharging his duties to this board."

Oberdick said that Schmid had now missed five meetings in a row, as well as 2 executive sessions and 3 work sessions. Oberdick stated that Schmid had been similarly absent in previous years.

Oberdick said that Schmid had been named to the finance committee two years ago due to Schmid's concerns about the finances in the district, but Oberdick said that he did not believe that Schmid had attended a single committee meeting in that time. Treasurer Frank Mucha confirmed that Schmid had not attended a meeting the entire time that Mucha had been on the finance committee.

Oberdick requested that board president Brenda Barlek realign the board's committees "so that we actually have a functioning finance committee." Barlek agreed to do this.

He also requested that the Barlek or superintendent Dr. Valerie McDonald prepare a letter to Schmid asking that Schmid at least give the board notice if he would not be attending a meeting. He also wanted the letter to remind Schmid that he took an oath to represent the district.

Board member Lynn Evans suggested that the board ask the solicitor for an opinion as to whether any action could be taken against Schmid due to his absences.

What did not come up in the meeting was the fact that absenteeism has been a problem among several board members, most notably Peter McKay and Patrick Stewart, in addition to Schmid.

A review of the minutes for regular meetings and work sessions posted by the Avonworth School District indicates that while Schmid was absent from eight meetings in the past year, McKay was absent from six, and Stewart from five. The most board absences during the year, according to the records, were by board member Marybeth Sommers, and attributable to health issues.

Eric Templin, Stewart and Schmid were absent from the meeting.