Residents urge transparency on school staffing, question proposed data center in Lee County

Several residents used the boards public-expression slot Jan. 20 to press supervisors for clearer information about school staffing and to voice alarm about a proposed data center.

Ben Richland of Jonesville asked the county to provide accurate counts of school employees, saying attempts to obtain numbers had been unsuccessful. "Weve been trying to come up with the numbers of employees...were having a real hard time finding any of the actual figures," he said, and urged that department heads explain what they are doing to save money as the countys population declines.

Richland also raised concerns about a planned data center, saying residents felt misled at the planning commission meeting and claiming such facilities can increase local electricity costs. "Transparency on this data center is gonna be important," he said. The speaker cited Wise Countys recent rejection of a data center as context and warned that higher electric rates would make Lee County a less attractive place to live.

Other speakers criticized perceived long-standing lack of transparency in school budgeting and urged the board to hold department heads and the school system accountable for spending. Board members acknowledged the publics concerns and told speakers that uncertainty in the state budget, including a transition in the governors office and new legislature, complicates precise budget guidance for FY2027.

The board discussed an audit for the school system; the county administrator said the audit is underway and staff hoped to have a report by March. The transcript recorded an estimated audit cost near $120,000 but did not provide a definitive final figure.

Board members asked staff to continue communication and to provide ballpark figures as they become available; they did not adopt new directives at the meeting beyond asking for information and recommending more regular committee meetings.