Board approves treasurer report after public questions on legal fees, grants and cyber-school payments

The Pleasant Valley School District Board approved its bundled treasurer and accounts-payable items after several residents used the public‑comment period to press for more detail about specific payments and legal costs.

What happened: Trustees voted to approve agenda items 4a–4h (treasurer’s report, accounts payable and related warrants). The motion was made by a board member and seconded; the board voiced the motion carried. One trustee later abstained from a specific check (item 4e, check #242746) citing a relative connection.

Public concerns: Multiple speakers questioned specific disbursements. Evelyn De Novo asked, “Who is Isabella Ann Root and why is she getting a $10,000 grant?” and asked for a breakdown of $8,617 listed as dues and fees. Jenna River and other residents sought clarification about two payments, each about $27,000, to Fox Rothschild — identified on the agenda as a law firm — and asked whether those payments were related to grievances or arbitrations.

District response and context: Staff said some legal fees reflected advice on major capital project bidding and regulatory compliance, not solely grievance work. The administration and board said they will continue to respond to citizen questions and provide more detail when possible; Treasurer Serpas presented the financial summary and noted the district’s reserve levels and grant funding mix during the discussion.

Why it matters: Residents raised the budgetary impact of legal and contract spending and asked whether arbitration and outsourcing to charter/cyber providers are cost-effective compared with in-district instruction. The board majority approved the finance agenda after discussion; an abstention was recorded on one item because of a personal connection.

Ending: Trustees instructed staff to keep providing clarifying documentation when citizens request it and accepted the treasurer report pending routine follow-up.