Resident denies making death threats after receiving letter from district leaders; flags timing

During the second public-comment period at the Jan. board meeting, a district resident identified in the record as Kathy Little used her time to deny allegations she had made death threats at a prior meeting and to raise concerns about the district's handling of the matter.

"I want to be very clear that I made no death threats to anyone. I never have and I never would," she said, adding that on Jan. 10 she had requested to speak on discrimination, harassment and bullying. She told the board she received a letter from Joseph McConney and Doctor Matthew Hayes indicating the allegation and that the letter said the matter would be turned over to police. Little said she encouraged police to investigate and that she believes the timing of the letter — received 13 days after the alleged incident and one day before her scheduled comments — is "very interesting." She said no police visit followed the letter.

The transcript records no direct public response from board members during that meeting to the resident's statement. Earlier in the agenda the board reported it had met in executive session before the public meeting "to review agency business with counsel that if discussed in public would violate a lawful privilege." The district did not provide additional detail on whether the executive-session review related to the letter or the resident's allegations during the public record.

The resident said she had wanted to speak about discrimination and bullying but felt preempted by the letter; the meeting record shows her statement was made during the public-comment period and that the board adjourned after completing the agenda.