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Feud between school board members becomes personal at meeting

Studdard, Kerekes argue in open forum as other members, public watch

By Wesley LeBlanc wesley@opcfla.com
Posted 3/11/20

FLEMING ISLAND – A simmering issue between two Clay County School Board members overflowed into last week’s meeting.

Each board member is given time at the end of a meeting to speak about …

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Feud between school board members becomes personal at meeting

Studdard, Kerekes argue in open forum as other members, public watch

Carol Studdard
Carol Studdard

Posted

FLEMING ISLAND – A simmering issue between two Clay County School Board members overflowed into last week’s meeting.

Each board member is given time at the end of a meeting to speak about whatever they’d like ranging from school events they recently attended to issues they think should be spoken about at the next meeting. At the end of the meeting on March 5, board member Janice Kerekes did just that but ended with a remark that sparked a quick verbal fight between herself and board chair Carol Studdard.

“I would say my only complaint about that night, Mrs. Studdard, was your behavior,” Kerekes said. “Standing up at the podium, calling me a little b----. I didn’t appreciate that, and I feel that there is something wrong and hope that you get the help you need.”

Kerekes’ comments are in reference to a situation that she said at the recent State of the Schools in February. Studdard responded directly to Kerekes following her comments. The following is how the rest of the conversation played out during the meeting.

Studdard: “Mrs. Kerekes, this is neither the time nor the place to air your dirty linen. I will not put up with people telling lies about me and insinuating that I don’t know what’s going on. I know exactly what’s going on Mrs. Kerekes. I owe you no apology.”

Kerekes: “I think your confusion through all of these meetings shows very clearly that there is something going on.”

Studdard: “Ladies and gentlemen, I want you all to know that Mrs. Kerekes and her son have been on the phone and in person telling people that I don’t know what’s going on, that I can hardly run a board meeting, that I am senile and they’re worried about my mental state. I assure you that there is nothing wrong with my mental state. I think it’s rude to bring this up at a board meeting. This is a professional board and we need to act as such. I will not dignify comments such as what just came from a fellow board member. If you have a problem, you talk to me but don’t talk behind my back and call everybody in my district to run for my school board seat. It is nasty, it’s conniving, it’s sneaky and it’s dirty.”

The meeting was adjourned moments later.

Clay Today reached out to both Kerekes and Studdard regarding the incident. Studdard sent the following statement:

“At Thursday night’s board meeting, comments about me were made by another board member that were inappropriate and untrue. Being caught by this surprise personal attack, I felt it was necessary to respond. The Clay County School District is on an upward trajectory and my goal is to continue to be a part of this positive movement.”

Kerekes said she’s known Studdard, both professionally and personally, for a long time. She also vowed to focus on her work for the school district.

Studdard said she now regrets responding to Kerekes at the meeting. Clay Today reached out to fellow board members regarding the incident. Mary Bolla declined to comment, and Ashley Gilhousen didn’t respond before publication. Member Tina Bullock said the focus of the school board should be school.

“I’m sure that both [Kerekes and Studdard] regret the incident,” Bullock said. “Our focus should always be about our students, families, employees, and the public is not a place for personal agenda.”