Formal Complaint Against Board Chair Angela Cardas

This complaint outlines multiple instances in which the Board Chair Angela Cardas has allegedly violated Oregon public meeting laws, Oregon ethics laws, board governance policies, and required standards of impartiality. Collectively, these actions demonstrate a sustained pattern of poor governance, misuse of authority, and disregard for the legal standards that govern Oregon school boards. This pattern has undermined public trust, escalated internal conflict, and exposed the district to significant legal and reputational risk.

The families submitting this complaint request corrective action, including removal from the position of Board Chair and recusal from all deliberations and votes pertaining to the Superintendent.

1. Failure to recuse in matters involving the superintendent (conflict of interest)

  • ORS 244.120–244.135 Public Officials: Actual and Potential Conflicts of Interest

  • ORS 244.040(1) Prohibits use of office to benefit associates

  • ORS 244.020(1) Defines “relative” and “member of household,” but also allows OGEC to consider other significant personal relationships when evaluating conflicts

  • OSBA Policy BBFA/BBFB Board Member Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

  • OSBA Policy BBAA Individual board members must avoid bias and maintain independent judgment

Complaint
Multiple complaints and allegations regarding the Superintendent have been publicly raised. Because the Board Chair has a personal relationship with the Superintendent, the board’s sole employee, that could reasonably be perceived as biased decision-making, her failure to recuse herself from deliberations and board actions constitutes:

  • A potential conflict of interest, requiring public declaration and recusal

  • A violation of ethical duties to remain impartial

  • A breach of public trust

This raises concern that complaints have not been adequately addressed due to this personal bias. Under Oregon ethics law, even the appearance of bias or a potential conflict, regardless of intent, requires disclosure and recusal to protect the integrity of board decision-making.

2. Failure to deliberate and vote on a complaint against board members in a public meeting

  • ORS 192.630(1) – All decisions of a governing body must be made in public

  • ORS 192.660 – Executive session limitations

Facts:

  • Complaint submitted: 9/22/25

  • Executive session held: 10/13/25

  • Written response issued: 10/15/25

Complaint
The board did not deliberate or vote publicly on the complaint. Executive sessions may be used to hear complaints only, but any decision or action must occur in open session. The failure to do so violates Oregon Public Meetings Law.

3. Teacher Level 4 Union Grievance: Failure to vote in public

  • ORS 192.630(1) – Decision-making must occur in public

  • ORS 192.660(2) – Executive sessions must be used only for permitted purposes

Facts:

  • Level 4 Union Grievance hearing: 10/6/25

  • Executive session: 10/13/25

  • Written response issued to BEA: 10/20/25

Complaint
A grievance response constitutes board action. The board did not vote or deliberate in public, which is required by law. Issuing a written decision without a public vote violates ORS 192.630 and exceeds the purpose of executive session.

4. Failure to address board member’s improper public commentary during active Level-4 Grievance

  • ORS 332.107  Board authority as a corporate body, not individual members

  • OSBA Policy KL Handling of complaints

  • OSBA Policy BBAA Members must avoid undermining board process

  • OSBA Code of Conduct

Facts:
Board member Briana Hutchens publicly posted a letter on Facebook on 10/13/25, referencing her role as a board member during the same week the board was deliberating a Level-4 grievance but prior to any decision being provided to the complainants.

Complaint
The Board Chair failed to provide accountability or corrective action, which violates board governance responsibilities and creates legal risk by tainting the grievance process with ex parte public communication. There is concern that this failure to provide accountability is due to close, personal friendship with both this board member and the superintendent.

5. Failure to respond appropriately to complaints from teachers, staff, and community members

  • ORS 332.107 Board responsibility for addressing complaints about the superintendent

  • ORS 332.075 Duties of board officers

Complaint

Complaints regarding alleged behaviors and misconduct of the Superintendent have gone unaddressed. In some cases, complainants were directed by the Board Chair to contact the district office which is inappropriate when the complaint concerns the Superintendent, who oversees the district office. This constitutes a failure to fulfill statutory oversight duties.

6. Staff survey: acting unilaterally without board approval

  • ORS 332.107 Board decisions must be made collectively

  • OSBA Policy BBA Individual board members have no authority to act on behalf of the board without delegation

  • OSBA Policy BD/BDA Actions must be voted on in public session

Complaint
The Board Chair planned and authorized the distribution of a staff survey (sent from board email on 11/10/25) without board knowledge or approval, representing an unauthorized exercise of board authority.

7. Public posting on Facebook & deletion of comments related to complaints

  • ORS 192.005–192.170 Public Records Law (records retention)

  • ORS 192.630(5) Prohibits serial communication outside meetings

  • OSBA Social Media Guidance for Board Members Public record obligations & risk of improper deliberation

Complaint
The Board Chair posted publicly about district matters while invoking her role as a board member and then deleted comments that may constitute public records containing allegations about the Superintendent. This may violate:

  • Oregon public records retention requirements

  • Oregon public meetings law (improper deliberation via social media)

  • Ethical obligations to ensure transparency

Impact to Bandon School District

These actions have:

  • Escalated conflict within the district

  • Increased risk of litigation and ethics complaints

  • Damaged morale among staff and teachers

  • Undermined transparency and public trust in the board

  • Created the appearance of bias, favoritism, or misuse of authority

Requested Resolution/Corrective Actions:

The undersigned families respectfully request the following:

  1. Immediate removal of Angela Cardas from the position of Board Chair

  2. Mandatory recusal from all deliberations, discussions, and votes related to the Superintendent.

  3. Referral of conflict-of-interest concerns to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.

  4. Referral to OSBA for corrective governance training for the full board.

  5. A public meeting agenda item to formally address these issues and record board decisions.

Signed

Amber Burg

Ann Kellogg

Anna Cruz

Karina Taylor

Katy Eymann

Corey Stewart

Catherine Scobby

Zoë Bradbury DeSurra

Rebecca Farrell

Kate Hawthorne

Melanie Trevisiol

NJ Hosticka