“It was definitely a factor (in who we endorsed),” Born said in a phone interview. “It was really frustrating. We just felt like we were being ignored, and obviously that doesn’t lead to a very productive relationship where you really feel like you’re in it together.”

FHS science teacher Jeff Taylor, the moderator during a public forum earlier in the month, brought up this issue as well. Fredericks defended the board decision, saying that they were given legal advice that they were unable to share but they believed in the importance of rebuilding that relationship.

In the special meeting held in December 2014 when the vote was made, then-Governing Board President Dolores Biggerstaff said that the agreement had to be suspended after the board learned that it was a violation of state law. She did not name any specific law that was violated, but stated that the agreement should be a part of a separate document rather than combined with the district policy manual.

The meet-and-confer policy outlined in Subsection H described the bargaining rights and responsibilities of both the Governing Board and FEA.