News File Photo The Alpena Public Schools administrative building is seen in this News file photo

ALPENA — The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education tonight distanced itself from Trustee Steven Donajkowski, who reposted Facebook memes some saw as racist.

“We appreciate trustee Donajkowski’s leadership and contributions to this board,” the board said in a statement approved unanimously after meeting behind closed doors for nearly an hour to discuss Donajkowski. “However, we declare that his recent actions are not the actions of the entire Board of Education of Alpena Public Schools and his actions do not reflect the beliefs or opinions of the entire board.”

Donajkowski joined his fellow trustees in voting to adopt the statement. He could not be reached for comment after the meeting.

In the statement, the board said Donajkowski unintentionally violated the board’s policy that says posting to social media should be done in a manner sensitive to a board member’s responsibilities, applicable district policies, and legal obligations.

The board also sought to make it clear trustees can express opinions and beliefs but individual statements “should not be construed as expressions of opinions, beliefs, or actions of the entire board.”

School boards cannot remove from the board individual trustees, who are elected officials.

A provision in the Open Meetings Act allows a school board to go into closed session to discuss disciplinary action against trustees, if it’s requested by that trustee.

Donajkowski was recently criticized for memes he reposted on his Facebook page, which was open to public viewing, that depicted controversial commentary on race and the Black Lives Matter movement. The memes were posted as recently as May.

Statement From the Board Adopted 8.17.20 by Crystal Nelson on Scribd