Resident raises taxpayer concerns after citizen petition led to court fees; board says reconsideration pending

At an East Kingston School Board meeting, residents pressed trustees about legal bills the district has incurred after two community members filed a citizen's petition seeking a school study on the ballot.

Heather Allen, who identified herself as a parent and East Kingston resident, asked who brought the action and how the legal costs would be paid, saying, “But that $7,000 has to be paid by someone.” The chair replied that the board has received a partial lawyer invoice and that the filings are public: "you could go to the courthouse and look it up." The chair also said the board "won the decision" in the first round but that the case is under reconsideration or appeal.

The chair told the board the district had received a partial invoice for roughly $3,700 related to the petition and noted additional invoice(s) were expected. The finance presenter and superintendent told the board that part of the invoiced work covered ADA ballot accommodations (loading warrants onto devices for voters who cannot stand) as well as the petition-related hearing. Board members said they were waiting for the full invoicing and recommended further discussion in a nonpublic session to consider next steps.

Why it matters: board members and voters face an unresolved question about whether these legal costs will become a charge on local taxpayers. The board said the legal process is ongoing and that full invoicing and any potential paths to recoup funds will be reviewed in nonpublic session.

What’s next: the chair said a reconsideration or appeal is pending and that the board expects additional invoices before the next meeting; the board directed that detailed follow-up about potential recovery of costs be handled outside the public session.