USD 453 board appoints Beth Maddox as interim Freedom of Information officer after debate over workload and conflict of interest

The USD 453 Board of Education voted 4–3 to appoint Beth Maddox as the district’s Freedom of Information officer in a motion made during the Sept. 8 meeting. Trustees said the appointment is statutory and can be revisited at a subsequent meeting.

The discussion included concern that assigning FOIA duties to the superintendent creates a conflict of interest because the superintendent is the district’s chief administrator and their records are frequently the subject of public records requests. One participant said, “Appointing a superintendent to serve as a freedom of information officer presents a significant conflict of interest,” during the discussion. Superintendent Dr. Adams acknowledged the statutory requirement, said the appointment is required, and added, “If you do not want to appoint me, that is fine, but someone else must be appointed as the FOIA.”

Board members and staff debated capacity and workload. Board member Mike Carney asked whether there was documentation of the time involved in FOIA work and noted concern about adding duties to staff already handling many tasks. Dr. Adams said there was not a precise time log but estimated it was “more than 1 hour per week.” When a board member proposed appointing Beth Maddox, Maddox responded, “No. I can be appointed.” A motion to appoint Maddox was moved and seconded by another trustee; the board recorded the vote as 4–3 in favor.

Board members agreed the appointment could be temporary and brought back for reconsideration; one trustee noted the board could revisit the FOIA appointment at a subsequent meeting if workload or other concerns warranted a change.

The transcript shows the motion and vote but does not record a detailed time-and-task audit of FOIA labor hours. Administration and board members said they would track workload and could change the appointment at a future meeting.