Residents raise concerns about teacher investigation as board fills vacancies and approves hires

Residents used the meeting’s public-comment periods to raise concerns about a teacher under investigation and to press the board on process and communication.

Scott Verica (public commenter) told the board he was concerned about "a perception thing" because the district’s acting superintendent (named on the agenda) is friends with the person accused and the union president, and he asked the board to request the police chief’s interpretation of statements allegedly made to his granddaughter. Verica said he had discussed the matter with the police chief and asked the board to seek the chief’s written opinion. The chair replied that the board has no direct contact with investigators "by design" and that the investigation and communications are handled through counsel and investigators to avoid leaks.

Other commenters urged the board to use measurable criteria in superintendent reviews and complained about meeting audio: one resident said they had difficulty hearing the meeting and encouraged the community to work together.

On board business, the board announced personnel items (resignations of Daisy Dockery and Dr. Sam Dockery and the hiring of Amanda Carlton as listed on the agenda), approved prepaid bills, and unanimously appointed Brian to the bond oversight committee. The board also accepted applications and appointed David Reed to board position number 6 and Doug McKenzie to position number 7 after candidate presentations. The board unanimously approved community flyers for summer programs and tutoring.

What’s next: The board said it will not engage investigators directly and will await investigative findings; routine personnel and appointment paperwork will be processed following the votes.