Superintendent: police and auditor reviews did not find criminal wrongdoing in COO's supplemental-contract matter; COO's name "cleared"
Loading...
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Maloney told the board that a Vancouver Police Department review and a state-auditor financial review found no criminal impropriety in allegations about COO Janae Gomes' supplemental contracts; Dr. Maloney said public campaigns around the issue appeared aimed at pressuring the district and damaging the employee's reputation.
Dr. Maloney, Evergreen School District superintendent, told the board on Feb. 10 that the district reviewed the Vancouver Police Department's investigation and the state auditor's findings regarding allegations tied to supplemental contracts for the district's chief operations officer, Janae Gomes. The superintendent said the police review concluded it did not support criminal allegations and the state auditor found the district's financial practices complied "in all material respects" with applicable law and district policy.
"The bottom line is this, Ms. Gomes' name has been completely cleared. She is innocent of these allegations," Dr. Maloney said, summarizing the police officer's written conclusions and warning about coordinated publicity that, the officer wrote, appeared intended to damage Ms. Gomes' reputation and to pressure the district.
Why it matters: The superintendent framed the statement as an attempt to restore focus to district priorities after months of public controversy around bargaining and supplemental-pay questions. Dr. Maloney said the district will return its full attention to "the work that matters most, ensuring belonging for each and success for all our students." The announcement is procedural, not disciplinary: it reports investigative conclusions rather than a board action.
What was reviewed: According to Dr. Maloney, the police report said the same concerns had been raised previously and reviewed by the district; the state auditor's review of the relevant fiscal year found no material noncompliance, including with supplemental contracts. The superintendent said the police officer documented public materials and publicity that appeared designed to harm Ms. Gomes' reputation and to pressure the district to remove her from bargaining duties during a strike.
Public reaction and limits: Several public commenters told the board they remain concerned about transparency, asked why certain documents or corrections were not produced sooner, and pressed whether the board had authorized particular contacts or whether administrative leave was warranted. The superintendent's remarks reported investigators' conclusions; they did not include a separate board vote or personnel action.
What happens next: Dr. Maloney said the district will refocus on students and programs. Members of the public who addressed the board during public comment asked for additional transparency, follow-up and answers to specific questions; the board did not take a personnel action on Feb. 10.
Source: Superintendent's report to the Evergreen School District board (Feb. 10, 2026).
