Residents accuse board members of intimidation and seek greater transparency at Talawanda meeting

Multiple residents used the district’s public comment period on July 9 to raise concerns about board conduct, transparency and district spending.

Scottie King of Darttown told the board she has received anonymous letters and alleged the board tolerates hypocrisy and meddling in personnel decisions. "This board opposes school vouchers while some of your own circle quietly uses them for private schools," King said. She urged the board to stop "meddling and stick to policy" and asked for answers about expenditures she described as questionable, citing $1,800 at LaRosa's and $4,025 at Kroger in July 2024 and a $47.40 charge for a storage unit in Oxford.

Cory Frey of Raleigh Township urged the board to prioritize student success, respectful dialogue and fiscal transparency and said he appreciated answers he received from district staff; his remarks emphasized budget balance and community engagement. Kelvin Corbin of Oxford asked a board member to publicly disavow an outside individual he said had made racist and homophobic remarks and who, he said, claimed to advise a board member. Mike Dittman of Hanover Township urged the board to move from warning about future funding risks to active budget management and asked for clarity on proposed changes such as grade-school banding.

Board members and administrators responded during the meeting to some procedural questions heard in public comment; the meeting record shows no formal board action taken in response to the allegations during the July 9 session. Speakers used the dais to request information, clarification and follow-up from staff and the treasurer.