Several community members used the public-comment period to raise issues ranging from classroom behavior and learning gaps to the division's use of outside legal counsel and the balanced-calendar proposal.

Tammy C. (public commenter) said she planned to file an OCR complaint if her comments were muted and urged the board to address an unpaid invoice she submitted in 2024. She criticized the division's use of the law firm Sands Anderson and cited a FOIA record showing a legal bill; she questioned the rising proposed legal expenditures in the draft budget. The transcript does not include a response from the board beyond acknowledging receipt of public comment.

Tammy Daniels, a longtime county resident, described classroom disruptions and concerns that some students are behind academically; she urged the division to "get back on track" and criticized remarks she said a school administrator made about parents. Several board members later acknowledged classroom behavior as a pressing issue and said they are exploring additional supports, including an alternative classroom model and behavioral specialists.

Several speakers and board members discussed the balanced-calendar proposal. Board members said last night's public forum drew strong community participation; members urged residents to review the proposal before forming a decision. Board members asked staff for more data, specifically the number of students below grade level and other measures that speak to learning loss, as part of the decision-making process.

Other items noted during public comment and superintendent remarks included community donations (coats, gloves, Thanksgiving meal bags) that staff said benefited families, and a superintendent's plea for patience as staff and the county respond to winter-weather operational challenges.

Why it matters: Public comment signaled strong community interest in behavioral supports, academic recovery and fiscal choices. Board members responded with requests for additional data and pledged more public forums and transparency as the balanced-calendar and budget processes move forward.