Public commenters urge board to avoid targeting volunteers and question discovery in ongoing lawsuit

Several community members used the public-comment period to raise concerns about a pending lawsuit and about how the district and its counsel have treated volunteers and small nonprofits that support students. Amanda Van Mill urged the board not to use taxpayer-funded legal processes to seek the names of community members who financially supported a teacher in litigation, calling that focus "extremely objectionable." She said deposition materials included questions about who funded the teacher's suit and asked the board to consider the privacy implications for volunteers and donors.

A different commenter (identified in the meeting as Vanessa) said public criticism of nonprofits had reached a point that risks driving away volunteers and outside partners; she listed Homegrown Alliance as an organization that provides scholarships and support to families and said criticism of that group had been amplified on social media. "When nonprofits that serve students are attacked... we should ask ourselves what message that sends the next person deciding whether they wanna get involved," Vanessa said.

Chair reminded speakers that the lawsuit is an ongoing legal matter and the board cannot comment on active legal strategy during open session. Commenters asked the board to publicly assert that volunteers and donors will not be targeted or harassed for helping district staff or teachers. The board did not adopt a formal statement at the meeting.