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Resident urges audit of COVID-era spending and warns of enrollment decline
Summary
David Smith, speaking during public comment, urged an independent audit of how the district used COVID relief funds, said enrollment has fallen over five years and cited about 37 students attending another district; trustees did not dispute the figures during the meeting.
David Smith addressed the board during the public-comment portion and urged an independent audit of how the district spent COVID relief funds over the past three years.
"I recommend as far as you do an audit for past 3 years as far as where the money's been spent with the COVID money and have an independent auditor come in and do that," Smith said, adding that such an audit would be worth the cost to understand past spending.
Smith also said the district's enrollment has declined over the last five years and cited a figure of about 37 students currently attending Thompson Falls from Trout Creek. He suggested discipline issues and lower perceived educational standards were factors driving families to choose homeschooling or neighboring districts, and cautioned trustees that voters may react poorly to a future tax levy if concerns are not addressed.
Trustees thanked Smith for his remarks and did not provide numeric rebuttals during the meeting. The board proceeded to the consent agenda and a separate agenda item on the superintendent search.
What happens next: Trustees did not pledge a formal audit in the meeting; Smith's request remains a public comment and would require a board agenda item and formal vote to initiate an independent audit.
