The Saugus Union School District board of directors swore in new members Tuesday, and created a subcommittee to look into allegations of misconduct for a previous incident.

The governing board welcomed Laura Arrowsmith and David Barlavi during a swearing-in ceremony and formed a subcommittee to discuss alleged conduct violations by Chris Trunkey.

Julie Olsen was also named board president, and David Powell was voted into the position of board clerk, according to district officials.

Per bylaws, the board president becomes chair of the committee, but Olsen recused herself. Powell was named the chair of the newly-formed ad-hoc committee, joined by Arrowsmith, to dive into the allegations listed in the cease and desist letter presented to the board last month.

The letter details allegations of then-board President Trunkey who was attempting to find “dirt” on Saugus Teachers Association (STA) President Deborah Rocha.

The alleged action by Trunkey was for the “purpose of harming Rocha’s reputation, deterring her from engaging in protected union activity and discrediting STA after it endorsed Trunkey’s opponent,” said Richa Amar, attorney for the STA.

See Related: Saugus Union School Board Receives Cease-And-Desist Letter

The letter, written on behalf of the entire STA, alleges “violations of the Educational Employment Relations Act (“EERA”) and Board President Trunkey’s violations of the Board’s Governance Standards and Code of Conduct.”

Under the board’s bylaws, all board members are required to adhere to the following governance standards: “Act with dignity, and understand the implications of demeanor and behavior;” “operate openly, with trust and integrity;” and “govern in a dignified and professional manner, treating everyone with civility and respect.”

All members are also to adhere to the code of conduct, including “refraining from actions and involvements that may prove embarrassing to the district.”

After the evidence is reviewed, the allegations could constitute a violation of the code of conduct, and the subcommittee can immediately present the board member with the written allegations, according to the bylaws.

The allegations are then brought to the board as a whole for a final vote for “censure,” an official condemnation, reprimand or expression of adverse criticism by formal body.

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