Megan Miller, a member of the Beloit School District Board and a parent, used public comment time Dec. 2 to press the board to publicly address what she described as a lack of transparency around the board consultant contract for Dr. Earhart. "I have some concerns about our lack of transparency as a board and violations of public trust," Miller said, calling for the issue to come before the full board.

Miller said a board member requested an agenda item on the consultant's contract on Nov. 18 but the item did not appear on the Nov. 18 meeting agenda. She cited Board Policy 171.2, which she said requires board members, citizens or staff to contact the superintendent or board president at least seven days before a meeting to request placement on an agenda. Miller also read passages from the contract that, she said, require on-site visits and written procedures for modification: "Article 2 of his contract ... delineates that he's here twice a week on-site," and "Article 8 ... the agreement may be modified or amended by written instrument executed by both parties," she said.

Miller told the board that a memo, dated Nov. 8 and marked to take effect Nov. 10, had been circulated by email indicating a pause or limited change in services. According to Miller, the memo was shared with board members, the director of human resources and the consultant, and a later forwarded message from the consultant said services were continuing remotely — a step Miller said is inconsistent with the contract terms that describe on-site service.

Board President said the chair had previously responded to the inquiry and stated "there is no action being taken on the contract," and that placement of items on the agenda is the chair's authority. The president also told Miller that the contract matter will be placed on the next board agenda so the full board can review it.

Miller requested the board follow its policies and to bring the alleged modifications or pauses to the full board for public scrutiny. She framed her appeal as a call for adherence to policy and transparent handling of board contracts. The board did not take formal action on the consultant contract at the Dec. 2 meeting; the president said the item will appear on a future agenda for the full board to consider.

What happens next: the board president said the matter will be added to the next board agenda for formal consideration. The record in public session shows Miller asked for a public review; the transcript includes references to Policy 171.2 and Policy 165 (ethics) in her comments.