Censure a possibility if investigation into Farmington board member finds misconduct

An attorney for the Farmington school board said an investigation of board member Tim Burke is expected to take about a month.

On Monday, the board authorized attorney Mick Waldspurger to choose an independent investigator to look into allegations that Burke violated the board's code of conduct.

Waldspurger said Wednesday that the investigator will be Jim Martin, an attorney at a Minnetonka law firm. Martin will produce a written report of findings that should be ready for the board to review at its Dec. 13 meeting, Waldspurger said.

Several board members have accused Burke of treating administrators disrespectfully, burdening them with unnecessary data requests and making unfounded accusations against them. Board member John Kampf has said he fears Burke's behavior could create a "hostile work environment" and put the district at risk of a lawsuit from employees.

Burke has said the district conducts its business in "bewildering" secrecy and that claims against him boil down to accusations of rudeness.

Board member Julie Singewald, who proposed the investigation, said Monday that she is not aware of any allegations that Burke broke any laws.

If the investigation shows that Burke violated the board's code of conduct or the law, the board's options include censuring him or, in a "worst-case scenario," removing him from office, Waldspurger said.

However, "I have no reason to believe that that's where this is going," Waldspurger said.

Martin's investigation will include a review of records and interviews with everyone who has relevant information about the allegations.

Martin is familiar with education law and has done other investigations for school districts, Waldspurger said.

The investigation should cost no more than $10,000, Waldspurger said. "We would expect it to come in significantly less than that," he said, adding that the cost will depend on how complex the probe turns out to be. Martin's hourly rate is $160.