Public commenter accuses Raymond #14 board of not reporting loan payoff; administration says payoff came from money-market transfer

At the Feb. 17 Raymond #14 School District meeting, public commenter Jeff Peterson said the most recent payoff of a Community State Bank loan did not appear in the treasurer’s report and suggested funds may not have been reported to the public. "I'm wondering where the funds came from to make this payment; it would appear that there is an unreported stash of cash somewhere that is not being shared with the public," Peterson said.

Peterson cited state reporting requirements and asked whether money remained available before seeking additional tax revenue in the district's forthcoming referendum. He also reviewed his history with the school as a former principal and urged cooperative engagement.

Administration and the business office responded that there is no secret account. Officials explained that the district maintains a money-market account where revenue is deposited and a separate checking account for disbursements. In this instance, the bank executed the payoff directly from the district's money-market account rather than routing it through the checking account, which is why the payment does not appear as a checking-account check in the treasurer's report. Administration said the transaction is recorded as a money-market transfer and offered to invite a bank representative to clarify the paperwork at a future meeting.

Board members and commenters also raised related questions about loan paperwork and apparent multiple loan numbers; administration said the activity reflected bank processing and an extended timeline, not two separate loans. Board and staff said they are restructuring the business office to improve processes and transparency going forward.

The meeting's public-comment exchange concluded with administration repeating its willingness to provide documentation and to invite the Community State Bank representative to explain the bank’s records.