The Weare School Board has voted unanimously to censure fellow member Rochelle Kelley, following her arrest by Weare police officers and video footage that circulated on the internet of the incident.
Tuesday was the first meeting of the Weare School Board since Kelly was caught on video swearing and yelling a homophobic slur at Weare police officers as they placed her under arrest following a traffic stop. Kelley was ultimately charged with obstructing government administration and resisting arrest.
“The video of Ms. Kelley on July 24 has been widely viewed. Her language and behavior is not in keeping with the appropriate conduct of a school board member,” said board chair Wendy Curry, who brought the motion.
A censure is an expression of “formal disapproval,” according to Curry, but doesn’t impact a board member’s ability to continue with duties as usual. In New Hampshire, school board members can only be removed for violating the oath of office, and happens via a petition brought in superior court.
“While reprehensible, the behaviors do not violate the oath,” Curry said.
Kelley is scheduled to be arraigned via telephone at Goffstown District Court on Aug. 26.