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Residents press board on transparency after OIG scrutiny; caller warns of legal action
Summary
Multiple public commenters at the July 13 meeting urged greater disclosure of personnel reports and project costs, citing a prior OIG investigation and missing attachments in board docs; one resident said he will pursue litigation.
Two members of the public used their allotted time at the July 13 Sumter School District board meeting to press the board for greater transparency on personnel reporting, procurement and project costs.
"This district cannot move forward while board remains divided," said Randall Freeman, who recounted recent media coverage and an OIG investigation and asked why some monthly personnel reports are available publicly while others are not. "Why are some of these reports available and others not or missing?" Freeman asked, urging the board to publish the missing material and provide a complete cost accounting for the Crestwood project.
The chair interrupted Freeman at the end of his time and directed him to submit materials in writing for the record. Freeman said he wanted his comments noted and that the district should provide more information rather than less.
Another commenter who identified himself as "Mr. Pace" criticized the board's behavior and said he plans litigation over open-records issues. "You do not have the right to tell someone what they can and cannot say," he told board members, adding that he intended to file legal action.
Board response and context: The chair directed public commenters to the board’s time limits and procedures and offered to accept written materials. In later remarks and in staff presentations, district leaders said they are posting construction updates to the website, strengthening procurement training and compliance in response to the OIG report, and adding staff oversight (a new project manager and additional procurement personnel) to improve transparency.
What remains unresolved: Public commenters asked for specific missing attachments and a complete cost accounting for ongoing projects; staff committed to posting project updates and said they would follow up on specifics, but the meeting record does not show the requested attachments being produced on the spot.
Ending: The board agreed to accept submitted materials and to work with staff to post more detailed project and procurement information.
