Board debates public engagement and confidentiality over Lower Columbia Field lease and related nonbinding referendum

Board members discussed the status of a field‑use agreement for Lower Columbia Field and how much of the negotiation can be discussed publicly in light of ongoing contract talks.

One board member urged inviting a township representative to answer questions in a public forum so voters are fully informed ahead of a nonbinding referendum. Others said the topic has been in committee work for months and stressed the need for board consensus before committing to terms. The board attorney explained that while concept-level discussion is permitted publicly, negotiated draft agreements typically remain confidential until both parties finalize a version to place on agendas for approval.

Several members said the district had received committee presentations (finance and athletics) but not all board members had attended those committee sessions; some members asked for the lease draft packet to be provided in executive session for discussion and to clarify whether a prior roll call constituted a final decision.

Next steps: the attorney said executive session would include discussion of the draft agreement and that, once both parties agree to a final document and place it on agendas, the board may publicly discuss and vote on it; the board also signaled interest in scheduling a public Q&A with township representatives if a final draft is presented.