Residents press Evergreen board for transparency, accountability and answers on COO interactions
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Summary
Dozens of public commenters pressed the board about transparency, alleged misleading documents tied to the COO, possible retaliation and unanswered questions; the PSC president and union members asked why the district has not provided follow-up or administrative protections.
Hundreds of residents and district employees raised questions and concerns during the public-comment period at the Evergreen School District board meeting on Feb. 10, focusing largely on alleged actions by Chief Operations Officer Janae Gomes and requests for greater transparency.
Several speakers, including union and PSC representatives, said they provided sworn declarations and documents to the board and to law enforcement and asked why corrections to police-report content were not made publicly earlier. Angie Bunta asked why the board president told a detective that John Boyd had a practice of doling out supplemental contracts and why any corrections to that account were not made sooner. Adam Aguilera, speaking for the Evergreen Education Association, asked whether the COO was authorized to contact the PSC president on Jan. 14 and whether the board would consider administrative leave for the COO while questions remain.
Mindy Trapper Cooper, who identified herself as PSC president, said she had provided a declaration to the board and had not been contacted by district representatives about its contents. "I have not been contacted by anyone representing the district relating to anything in my declaration," she said.
Other commenters urged the board to protect staffing and programs amid looming cuts: Jake Osmos, a WPEA union steward, urged respect for teachers and called for restoration of teacher-librarians; Rachel Ernst, a public-library employee, urged reinvestment in certified librarians to support literacy; Cindy Van Dinter called for preserving the Kinderbridge transitional kindergarten program, citing three years of positive outcome data and a 1:9 adult-child ratio. Phil Kronovich urged a review of Procedure 3211P after a restroom incident raised harassment concerns; Kendall Timan referenced a prior court matter and alleged the COO has a history of withholding records, citing Dodge v. ESD.
What the board did: The board did not take immediate personnel action on Feb. 10. Public commenters repeatedly asked for documents, clearer answers and follow-up; several asked that the district contact them directly about submitted declarations and evidence.
Context and limits: The superintendent earlier summarized a police review and a state-auditor review that, she said, did not find criminal wrongdoing and found financial compliance. Public speakers disputed some aspects of the narrative and pressed for documentary evidence and for protections against retaliation.
Next steps: Speakers asked for investigations or follow-up and for workshops on policies such as Procedure 3211P and policies 3205/3211P; board members signaled intent to schedule a fragrance-policy workshop and to examine conflicting policies at a future workshop.
Source: Public-comment period, Evergreen School District board meeting (Feb. 10, 2026).