In accordance with Board Policy 2005: Complaints Against Individual Board Members, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) has concluded its investigation into conduct by Board Member Natalie Cline.
Following discussion in a closed session, the Board approved a resolution to censure Member Cline. The Board voted to request Member Cline’s resignation from the Board by February 19, 2024. Additionally, she will be removed from all committee assignments, not be allowed to place items on upcoming Board agendas, and prohibited from attending any Board advisory committee meetings.
These actions were taken to uphold the standards set forth in Board Policy 2004: Board Member Communications, Board Bylaws Article IV — Member Ethics, and R277-217. Educator Standards and LEA Reporting. The board policy and bylaws state, “members shall respect the privacy of students, USBE employees, and school level employees, including refraining from direct and indirect identification of such, in a negative light in any public setting, venue, or platform where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy” and hold board members “to a higher standard than the general public in areas of conduct and ethics.”
An investigation into Member Cline’s conduct was opened after several complaints were filed with the Public Education Hotline earlier this month.
Per the process outlined in Board Policy 2005, a thorough investigation by USBE’s Internal Audit department and Assistant Attorney General was completed. During the investigation, a preliminary analysis by Internal Audit determined the matter should be referred to board leadership.
After board leadership released a statement on February 8, the investigation concluded, and the matter and evidence were brought to the full board for its consideration.
The Board would like to extend its deepest apologies to those harmed by this conduct, in particular the student who was targeted because of Member Cline’s post. No individual, especially a child, should be subject to such comments and judgement. We hope that the actions taken today can provide support for the student and the family.
