The Tahoe Donner Board of Directors voted to remove its President Jennifer Jennings, despite another election planned for June 23.

At an April 27 meeting, Directors Suzy Knisley and Michael Fajans accused Jennings of lacking transparency and acting without the board’s consent when conducting business with the board’s legal counsel, for which Jennings along with the general manager are the primary points of contact.

“I think the responsibility of the president includes interacting with legal counsel in a manner that represents the board overall without personal bias,” Fajans said during the meeting. “I think in recent weeks you’ve not lived up to this. You have not gone along with the wishes of the board. I think the appropriate response is move a person into the presidency who I think will more diligently reflect the wishes of the board,” he said.

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According to Jennings, she could not go into depth about the concerns raised by fellow board members because they were issues that were discussed in an executive session.

Directors Fajans, Knisley and Don Koenes voted to remove Jennings as president, while Director Jeff Connors said “this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever voted no on.”

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‘PROPERLY ACTED AS PRESIDENT’

“I have every confidence that I have properly acted as president,” said Jennings. “With you having been here a short time you came to the conclusion and stated in numerous emails that I should be removed,” Jennings said to Knisley, who was appointed to the board in January.

“I’m very familiar with our governing documents and the procedures of responsibilities of the president of the board,” said Knisley. “It is very important for the president of the board to be completely transparent with the entire board on all issues that are addressed before the association.”

Typically the meeting agenda is made public 11 days before board meetings, Jennings said, but she was notified by the general manager seven days before the April 27 meeting that an item to change board positions was being added.

“I do not believe this can be voted on with the agenda notice that was given,” said Jennings. She said she would like to seek legal counsel as to whether or not Knisley was allowed to add the agenda item and call for a vote at the meeting.

The May 8 meeting, which Jennings planned to discuss the issue further, was canceled.

Though Jennings is no longer acting president, her term is not over until next year. Koenes, who had served as vice president, will now serve as president of the board. The terms for Fajans and Knisley are up in June with neither director running for re-election. Candidates running for the two open seats are Charles C. Wu, Michael Sullivan, Jim Roth and Nan Meek.

Tahoe Donner’s board of directors is the governing body of the association and ultimately responsible for the direction and oversight of the affairs of the organization. According to its website, Tahoe Donner’s board of directors is made up of unpaid volunteers elected by the membership. Members of the board of directors act as representatives for the property owners of Tahoe Donner.

Hannah Jones is a reporter for the Sierra Sun. She can be reached at 530-550-2652 or hjones@sierrasun.com.