Board member apologizes for interrupting candidate forum, says ethics complaint settled

A board member at the Pinelands Regional School District meeting said an ethics complaint filed in early 2024 had been settled and read a written statement apologizing for conduct at a Oct. 5, 2023 “meet the candidates” event.

The speaker said the settlement had been signed and read the agreed statement aloud: "On October 5th, 2023, I attended a meet the candidates event ... I interrupted Ms. Johnson while she was addressing the public and called her a liar. This behavior was inappropriate, rude, and caused a disruption, and I apologize for my actions at that evening." The speaker told the board the settlement left "no party won, no party lost" and said they accepted responsibility for their behavior.

After delivering the statement the same board member moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned following a motion, a second and a voice vote in which members responded "Aye." Attendees thanked Mr. Dabney as the meeting closed.

The transcript excerpt does not identify the apologizing board member by name in the speaker turn where the statement was read; the name Mr. Dabney appears later in the excerpt when others addressed or thanked him. The transcript also includes a brief exchange about whether the language in the reading came from the judge or from an attorney; the excerpt indicates the read statement represented what the parties agreed to put on the record.