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Public commenters accuse Pullman School District board of records and open-meetings violations
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Summary
At the board meeting, two public commenters presented text-message evidence and alleged violations of Washington’s Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, asking the board to publicly disclose discussions and prepare for formal complaints to state agencies.
Two community members used the Pullman School District board meeting to allege the board has not complied with state transparency laws and to call for public disclosure and formal investigations.
Meghan Natani, speaking during public comment, said she had "evidence of board members intentionally not complying with required public records requests," and that she had obtained shared text messages and written testimonials she said show "name calling, ridicule, and malicious messaging" directed at both community members and district staff. "This behavior is unacceptable," Natani said, and she told the board a report would be made publicly available.
Later in the public-comment period, Stephanie Bray said the matter also raises concerns under the Open Public Meetings Act. Bray alleged board members "colluded on voting, did not enter into discussion around the vote, and publicly posted on social media under the district's name," and urged the board to "immediately acknowledge this concern in writing, provide full public disclosure of the discussions or actions that took place, and commit to publicly acknowledging the investigation outcomes." She said community members had consulted the Whitman County prosecutor and were prepared to bring complaints to the attorney general’s office, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Washington Association of School Directors (WASDA).
Neither commenter identified a formal board response during the meeting; the public-comment period concluded and the board proceeded with the agenda. The allegations reference Washington’s Public Records Act (cited in public comment as RCW 42.56) and the Open Public Meetings Act; the commenters asked the board to provide records and disclosures so the public can assess whether the district complied with those laws.
The board did not take public action on those requests at the meeting. The agenda continued with consent and action items and then moved into discussion items and an executive session. The district has not released a written reply on the record during the meeting to Natani’s or Bray’s requests.
