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Residents and teachers press Mount Union board over supplies, Morrison Trust accounting and superintendent oversight
Summary
Public commenters and board members criticized delayed requisitions, alleged shortages of classroom supplies, and sought clarity on use and accounting of Morrison Trust funds; superintendent said curriculum and some equipment were purchased with ESSER funds and that Morrison Trust spending is limited to specific programs.
Residents and some teachers used the public-comment period to press the Mount Union Area Board of Education for answers about classroom supplies, the status of a $1,000,000 capital-reserve transaction, and how Morrison Trust funds have been allocated.
Bruce Smith told the board he had compiled multiple anonymous teacher statements alleging repeated requisitions were not fulfilled, leaving teachers to purchase materials out of pocket. "We have teachers copying textbooks because our district is too cheap to invest money earmarked for our children's education," Smith said. He urged the board to account for trust funds and to pursue stronger oversight of the superintendent.
Superintendent Dr. Smith responded that the district had purchased math and reading curricula and phys‑ed equipment using ESSER/ARP funds and that copier-paper orders had been shipped and distributed. She said Morrison Trust funds are restricted to certain purposes (science, engineering and technology education in previous guidance) and cannot be used for general classroom supplies. She offered to provide purchase records to verify distribution and instructed staff to continue processing requisitions where funds are available.
Board members said they would review the documentation and discuss a longer-range capital plan. The public commenter who asked about the $1,000,000 said the district previously resolved to return that transfer within a year; the chair said staff believed the funds would be moved back and pledged to follow up.
The board did not take immediate disciplinary action at the meeting; several speakers urged more transparency and stronger processes to ensure instructional supplies reach classrooms.
