Superintendent warns of staged public-records visit, previews possible reduction in force as district eyes capital-to-general-fund transfer
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Summary
The superintendent told the board about a masked visitor who spent over an hour at the district office filming and demanding records, said police responded, and warned staff about similar incidents; administrators also previewed a possible targeted reduction in force and proposed a $7.8 million transfer from capital projects to the general fund to cover expected shortfalls.
The superintendent told the Yelm Community Schools board on March 12 that a man recently entered the district office wearing a black mask and recording with a GoPro, spent about an hour and 20 minutes demanding documents and taking photos, and that police responded to remove him.
"He runs a company called I Am 3," the superintendent said of the visitor, naming him as Robert Anthony and saying the visit appeared staged to create content for a YouTube audience. The superintendent said the visitor refused to complete a formal public-records request in writing and that staff followed district policy by offering the written request process.
The superintendent said the visitor's presence prevented the receptionist from working and disrupted staff; he described MPD officers as professional in their response. "If they were to see somebody dressed in a mask and concerning outfit, to not engage and to let us know," the superintendent said, summarizing staff guidance the district will circulate.
On finances and personnel, the superintendent told the board that reduced K–12 funding, lower enrollment and lost levy revenue are driving a difficult budget forecast. He said staff will present a resolution authorizing a reduction in force as a targeted, last-resort step and explained that RIF timelines are governed by collective-bargaining agreements. The superintendent described a proposed transfer of $7,800,000 from capital projects into the general fund as a one-time measure to help the district enter next fiscal year with a positive beginning balance and bridge to longer-term solutions.
"With the approval of the transfer from capital projects over to the general fund, it would start us next year at 8,100,000," the superintendent said, adding that the district’s estimated ending fund balance would be about $1,500,000 — below the board’s 5% policy target of roughly $4,800,000. He said the board has previously adopted resolutions allowing deviation from the 5% policy in extraordinary circumstances.
Board members pressed for clarity on how staff plan to minimize layoffs and implement RIFs selectively. The superintendent said specific positions, not a large-scale reduction, would be considered and that the district will return to the board with a formal resolution describing the approach and timeline.
The superintendent also encouraged community members to contact lawmakers about funding and urged staff to document incidents involving people seeking records or filming in district spaces.
The board voted subsequently to approve the capital-to-general-fund transfer (see 'Votes at a glance' for details).
