Residents press RSU 10 board for records and timeline after Mountain Valley locker‑room design changes

Residents and board members pressed RSU 10 officials at a school board meeting over changes to the Mountain Valley Community School’s locker rooms and communal bathrooms, asking for meeting records and a timeline for installing a previously planned wall.

Public commenter Mike Lance said he obtained a 95‑page communications file through a records request that includes concept drawings and emails dating to November 2022 discussing an "inclusive bathroom" guide and a gender‑neutral athletic prep area. "There was conversation about putting the wall up… politics pressured the school to go back to a traditional boys locker room," Lance told the board while summarizing the records.

Several public speakers asked directly when a partition or wall would be installed. "I would like to know when the wall is going to be installed in the co‑ed locker room," said Tammy Schmmerzel Burges, who urged the board to be "open and honest as we move forward." Another commenter, Carol Dagel, made forceful allegations about the district’s design decisions and said she believed the district had failed to keep parents informed.

Superintendent Deb responded that the construction contractor had notified the district that wall materials were delayed and that installers would finish the work when materials arrive. "Dustin from Landry French informed me in an email that the wall materials have been delayed until the beginning of March," Deb said, adding that the district was not using the area until it could be completed.

Board members and other speakers pushed for more documentation. Several said they were unable to find a clear change order or meeting minute that explained when and by whom the design was altered. Board member Ed and others asked for the specific record trail and noted that the design changes were substantive, not cosmetic.

Board member Peter said the project had been approved by the voters and stressed that construction projects often require change orders during the process. "Trying to pin somebody or other, it's like a witch hunt," he said, while also telling the public the wall will be installed once materials arrive.

What’s next: board members requested further document searches and records (including referenced emails and architect notes) and debated whether some questions should be pursued in executive session. The superintendent said she would continue to provide updates and the district will install the wall when materials arrive.

Ending: The board closed public comment after a series of follow‑up questions and signaled additional review of the records and the procurement timeline; some members moved to discuss personnel and records in executive session later in the meeting.