Crook County School Board member Cheyenne Edgerly speaks out after fiery meeting, Skinner’s planned departure

(update: Cheyenne Edgerly issues statement )

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) --Crook County School Board member Cheyenne Edgerly, who voted against moving forward with negotiations for embattled Superintendent Melissa Skinner's departure , issued a statement Tuesday.

Here it is, in full:

"We all enjoy the First Amendment right to freedom of speech, freedom of association and assembly under the protection of law. Unfortunately, there are those in our community who appear intent on intimidating or silencing critics by using the district complaint system inappropriately. It is my understanding that Oregon law, specifically Oregon Revised Statute 31.150 protects those persons' First Amendment right to free speech.

"I am saddened that the board  refused to hire a third party investigator (law firm or law enforcement officer- outside of the area) after the board's statement that they want transparency. Parents and students' rights are violated when districts hire within the “Good Ol’ Boy club”, and hire investigators that are tied to the school system. It was especially  unfortunate to see that a board member blatantly violated district policy in talking about a school district employee in open session without consent. 

Cheyenne Edgerly-Individual Crook County School Board Member"

Monday night's story:

The Crook County School Board's special meeting Monday evening was fiery. The majority of the people that came out want to see Superintendent Melissa Skinner gone.

During the meeting, Scott Cooper, Vice Chair, Zone 2 – NE area, opened with this statement to the board.

“We authorize Board Member Steve Holiday to take the lead in negotiating a mutual termination with the Superintendent supported by the Business Manager to be the final package to be approved by the board.”

In a significant decision during the special meeting, the Crook County School Board voted to approve Superintendent Melissa Skinner’s request to terminate her contract.

However, Board Member Cheyenne Edgerly, who is also under scrutiny by community members, was not happy with the decision.

“I think it's a public meeting violation to assign one board member to do that, so I don't want to have any part in that,” she said.

Nevertheless, the board moved to proceed with terminating Skinner’s employment.

Monday night’s announcement came just six months after Skinner was appointed to the Superintendent role.

Crook County School Board members officially acknowledged receipt of a complaint and a petition with more than 1,000 signatures, supported by the teachers’ and classified staff’s unions, which allege unethical conduct, including the hiring of former school Board Member Jessica Brumble as Transportation Manager, and the reassignment of athletic director, Rob Bonner, despite investigations finding no wrongdoing on his part.

Now that Skinner will be departing her role as superintendent, what should the board prioritize next?

Community member Gayden Pack said, “That our complaint won't be just dismissed because the superintendent has gone, but that it's now open, issues that need to be addressed and that a third-party investigator is hired and that external support is sought outside of even the investigator to make sure that there's no internal issues that the board is missing.”

Board Member Cooper addressed those concerns:

“So, I'd like to suggest we have two investigations, one related to the fairness of the hiring of the Transportation Supervisor and one related to all the other matters are in front of us.”

Also, in a unanimous decision, the school board voted to appoint Dr. Joel Hoff as acting superintendent. He said he was excited to step in:

“We exist to help our students and to serve our students and our districts. Clearly we’re going through a lot of issues, and I think my biggest task is to just get our focus on student learning.”

The board also agreed to give Melissa Skinner paid non-disciplinary administrative leave.

The board will hold their regularly scheduled board meeting next Monday, January 13, to give an update as well as allow public comment.

Earlier Report

Crook County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Melissa Skinner has requested to exercise an agreement in her contract which will allow her and the school district to part ways after a negotiation process. The announcement came just six months after being appointed in July 2024.

At a school board meeting on Monday, the board approved a motion to negotiate the superintendent's exit, while also placing her on paid administrative leave. Dr. Joel Hoff was made acting superintendent while the district works through Skinner's separation.

Skinner's request comes on the heels of community outrage over her handling of a complaint against Athletic Director Rob Bonner, and her recent hires.

This events that led to Monday's vote started in December, when community members contacted NewsChannel 21 informing our team that popular Athletic Director Rob Bonner would be transferred out of his role, a move the school board recommended against in a 4-0 vote.

NewsChannel 21 was on the scene as more than 100 Crook County students walked out of school, and took to the streets of Prineville in protest.

Later that night, families packed the Crook County School board meeting, the fire marshal was concerned about the building's capacity, so dozens of people were asked to go to an overflow room.

At the meeting, the Crook County School Board voted unanimously not to hear the complaint against Bonner. They also unanimously recommended Superintendent Skinner not transfer Bonner out of his role.

Following the meeting, a group of Crook County citizens filed a formal complaint against Superintendent Dr. Melissa Skinner, expressing concerns over her hiring practices, and management decisions within the school district.

The complaint, submitted in December, alleges unethical conduct, including the hiring of former School Board member Jessica Brumble as Transportation Manager, under questionable circumstances, potential nepotism involving the employment of Dr. Skinner’s family members, and the reassignment of Athletic Director, Rob Bonner, despite investigations finding no wrongdoing on his part.

This is a developing story. Stay with NewsChannel 21 for urgent updates.