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Public commenters oppose proposed millage and allege student-photo misuse; board responds on transparency
Summary
During public comment a resident opposed a proposed millage and alleged that a vendor’s student photos were being processed into AI systems and raised procurement concerns; Trustee Richardson replied that the district posts annual financial audits and that records are available.
At the meeting’s public-comment portion, East Point resident John Solera spoke against a referenced millage proposal, saying seniors and small businesses cannot afford higher taxes. Solera also made on-the-record allegations that student photographs taken by a district-contracted vendor were being used in AI systems and named individuals he said were associated with the vendor and textbook procurement.
"These pictures are now being put into AI and being used to track our children," Solera said during his three-minute public comment, and he urged listeners to oppose the measure he described as a millage.
Trustee Richardson responded during board remarks by underscoring the district’s financial transparency. "Every year every year we have a full financial audit. Every year. If you want to know what spent in the district, please go to our website," Richardson said, adding that residents can file a FOIA request for detailed financial records. Richardson also urged critics to participate constructively with the district rather than only criticize from outside.
The board did not take action on the allegations during the meeting. District officials did not confirm procurement or AI-processing claims on the record, and Richardson said audits are posted online. The board said a closed-session item related to a family was not taken up because the family was not present.
