Residents press board for transparency after legal letters related to a board member

A taxpayer asked the board to disclose how much district money was used for legal counsel after letters and litigation involving board member Kim Miller.

"I would like to see some form of transparency involved on how much the board has spent on legal counsel following Kim Miller's constitutional violation," said Sydney Pena, identifying herself as part of a group that filed a lawsuit relating to Miller.

Board members and staff disagreed about the purpose of the letters. One board member said the letters were intended to protect the district's attorney-client communications, while others said it was not appropriate for taxpayer funds to be used to protect a single individual.

"I do not think it's appropriate to use district resources for that purpose," one board member said. Another board member responded that the letters sought to protect the district's privileged communications because district information was being shared in court filings.

Speakers indicated some letters were directed at preserving the district's legal privilege; several board members said they would seek clearer answers for taxpayers. The town hall did not produce an accounting of legal costs and no formal board action was taken at the meeting.