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Residents urge property‑tax approach and demand accountability in public comment
Summary
Three public commenters addressed the board: Karen Autry argued an income tax would burden retirees and favored property tax; Karen Vassell asked about travel, contracts, and pay transparency; Nathan Powell accused district leaders of mishandling a student assault and demanded resignations.
During the public‑comment period three residents addressed the board. Karen Autry argued against a traditional school income tax and in favor of a property levy, telling the board that an income tax would "be an extreme burden on retirees" and warning that commercial exemptions could shift the tax burden onto residents. "To tell an 85 year old person...Go get a job at Mark's so you can pay your taxes," she said.
Karen Vassell asked for explanations about taxpayer‑funded travel, contracting practices, staffing schedules and administrative pay transparency. Nathan Powell, who identified himself as a disabled veteran and parent, pressed the board over how the district handled an alleged assault on his child, disputed the board's summaries of video evidence, and called for resignations. Powell said, "You want your raises? I want your jobs. All of them." Board members listened but did not take immediate action during public comment.
