Trustee alleges intimidation and retaliation; calls for accountability after heated meeting

At the July 28 meeting, Trustee Prosser delivered an extended public statement alleging a pattern of intimidation, retaliation and improper influence by district leadership and allies. She said district personnel had contacted private employers and donors to influence employment decisions and that nondisclosure agreements had been used in ways that drew legislative scrutiny earlier in the year.

Prosser told the board: “This intimidation is an abuse of power.” She said there is documentary and video evidence to support her claims and urged the behavior to stop. The remarks came amid broader tension in the meeting: public commenters and staff had already presented strongly worded criticisms about benefit changes, contract implementation problems and internal communication practices.

Trustees responded in different ways. One trustee asked for specifics and suggested that if there are complaints that suggest violations of law or board policy, the board should consider engaging independent counsel because the district attorney represents the board as an entity and could face conflicts when a complaint involves a board member. Trustee Goodrich suggested clearer evidence would help the board address alleged misconduct and stressed the need to protect employees while the ethics process runs its course.

The exchange underscored growing intra-board tensions and produced an explicit suggestion: the board will consider whether to retain outside legal advice to handle an ethics complaint that involves a member. No formal disciplinary or investigatory action was taken at the meeting; trustees asked staff and counsel to advise on next steps.