The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has voted to issue a formal written warning to Superintendent Simone Griffin regarding communications with district staff.

At a meeting of the board on Thursday, trustees went into a closed session and then reemerged with the resolution proposed by President Dashuna Robinson.

“That the board of education direct the board president to work with legal counsel to issue a written warning to Superintendent Griffin regarding communications with district staff,” Robinson read.

The board did not discuss specifics, but Trustee Elnora Gavin said she believed more should be done than a simple warning.

“I’m one of seven and I respect that, but I just had to put on record that I feel like we are not doing what we can be doing in this situation,” Gavin said.

Gavin said she believes in grace, but the board has to set certain standards for the treatment of others. However, Robinson said she didn’t see a need for further action.

“I do not think that it being more harsh is needed,” Robinson said. “I stand in support of the superintendent, and I think that there’s always opportunities from a leadership standpoint to support growth and to give reminders of expectations, and I see this as being a credible way to do so.”

Trustee Trenton Bowens said he fully supports Griffin, adding he believes Black women are often held to a higher standard than others. Other trustees agreed that they support the superintendent, but the vote to send her the warning was unanimous.

Trustees didn’t specify what prompted the warning beyond what was stated in the resolution.