Jason Moroski, a Derby resident, used the public comment period to raise a potential conflict of interest involving board member Tanya Giacobucci and the firm Orion Education and Training.
Moroski said he had watched the previous board meeting and "it raised a question in my mind about potential conflict of interest with a member of this board, miss Tanya Giacobucci." He cited Giacobucci's vote to raise the local-option-budget (LOB) mill levy during a prior agenda item and said Orion, the company he identified as Giacobucci's employer, is paid to provide staff development that he believes was covered by the funds in question. Moroski said Orion "contracts through our Kansas Department of Education to provide professional development training throughout the state." He displayed materials he said were included in the board packet showing Giacobucci providing training.
Moroski said he was making a formal Kansas Open Records Act request and read aloud language from the statute as he submitted a written request. "Pursuant to the Kansas Open Records Act, KSA 45 20 15. I am requesting access to the following public records... All payments through grants or other means to Orion Education and Training, either directly or indirectly through the Kansas Department of Education or USD 260 for training provided by Orion between 01/01/2024 and the present date," he told trustees. He also requested notice of any charges and a written explanation if portions of the request are denied, citing KSA deadlines for response.
The board did not take action on the allegation during the meeting; Moroski's submission was received as public comment and a records request. The allegation and the records request will require staff follow-up under the Kansas Open Records Act.
Why this matters: allegations of conflicts of interest, if substantiated, can affect public trust in board decision-making and may prompt records searches or inquiries.
No board member named in the comment responded with an official statement during the meeting.