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Parents and residents press Sweet Home board on lockdown communications, allege undisclosed electric‑bus purchases
Summary
Public commenters at the board meeting criticized the district's communication during a recent lockdown, questioned student accounting and raised unverified claims that the district is buying six electric buses without a charging plan. The board did not take formal action on the allegations during the meeting.
Residents and parents used the board's public comment periods to criticize district communications during a recent high school lockdown and to allege the district is purchasing additional electric buses without public notice or a charging‑infrastructure plan.
"Waiting almost until 3PM to provide an update, in my opinion, was completely unacceptable," parent Amanda Jones told the board, describing a sequence of district messages she said arrived at 12:49 p.m., 1:14 p.m. and 2:54 p.m. during the incident. Jones asked the district to evaluate communication procedures and how student accounting was verified after learning of at least one student who had left school before the incident.
Several residents also criticized district leadership and raised transportation concerns. Peter Hoisick, who identified himself as a Millwood Drive resident, urged voters not to reelect current board members and alleged the district is "buying 6 more" electric buses while failing to plan for charging infrastructure. "This is the second year in a row that I have come here before a budget vote to find out that you're buying electric buses and there's no plan to get electric infrastructure charging for them," he said. Hoisick also claimed charging infrastructure would cost "millions" and referenced a printed notice he received; the district did not provide a response to his allegations during the meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Genestri and other administrators addressed why parents were asked not to come to the school during the lockdown, telling the audience that arriving at the building can impede first responders and increase risk. "Coming to the building puts all of us at more of a risk... It also blocked first responders from entering our facility," Genestri said.
Board members and administrators repeatedly thanked staff, students and law enforcement for their response during the lockdown; student government representative Maisha also praised how students followed instructions. The meeting record shows no formal board action or motion regarding the electric‑bus claims or the specific communications complaints; administrators said they would debrief and work with Amherst Police Department to review the lockdown response.
The allegations about electric‑bus procurement and charging costs were raised as public comment and were not accompanied by a district explanation or supporting documents in the meeting record. Amanda Jones asked the district to clarify how attendance was verified so the public can understand statements that "all students are accounted for." The board did not provide additional details at the meeting.
Public comments also included requests for broader community engagement in district events such as the Challenge for Change program; those items were discussed by board members and staff but are separate from the safety and procurement concerns raised during public comment.
No formal actions were recorded as a result of the public comments at this meeting; members of the public said they expect follow‑up and clearer communications from the district ahead of the upcoming budget vote.
