Residents urge transparency after superintendent exit and $3,000 consultant payment

Several residents at the Francis Howell R-III Board of Education meeting on Aug. 21 urged the district to provide more public information about the recent superintendent departure and a small consultant payment for a book list.

The public comments came during the board’s patron comment period and focused on two main concerns: the settlement of the superintendent’s contract and an apparent $3,000 payment to a consultant for a four‑page list of books.

“First, on the superintendent selection. You spent nearly $300,000 on this person who didn't work a day in this district, and the public is in the dark without any explanation,” resident Jarrett Pillsbury told the board. “That's a lot of money spent for the message to be ‘trust us.’ The public has no understanding beyond social media rumor mill, and it's a bad look and … erodes trust in district leadership.”

Carl Surrey said he reviewed the separation agreement and described it as “pretty straightforward,” adding that the board’s unanimous 7‑0 vote to settle led him to trust the board’s decision. Surrey also urged the board to include non‑compete or anti‑poaching restrictions in future severance agreements after saying a senior district employee subsequently left for another job.

Multiple speakers criticized what they described as a lack of transparency around a separate $3,000 payment to a consultant who compiled a list of books. “It is astounding to see such a serious ethical lapse from a board member,” said Joel Malkins, a Francis Howell High School senior. “This consultant's task … could have been done by any of the district librarians that we already have on staff.”

Christie McLaughlin, a parent, said the $3,000 list “could have been pulled for free” and asked for “transparency and accountability for every dollar spent.” Harry Harris, another resident, called the list “meaningless” and asked that the district be reimbursed if the work produced no value to the schools.

Board members did not take formal action on those requests at the meeting. Interim Superintendent Mark Delaney said the board had designated him to handle public responses and read a brief statement about the contract. “Dr. Dominguez resigned from the Francis Howell School District effective on July 31, 2025. I cannot comment further on a confidential personal matter,” Delaney said.

The speakers called for additional public records and disclosure about the approvals and procurement process that led to the consultant payment, and several urged changes to procurement policy so consultant hires require a public vote.

The board and administration did not provide additional contract documents or a procurement explanation during the meeting; some residents said they had requested or obtained documents independently.