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Parent urges board to disclose involvement in data-center meetings and asks about teacher contracts
Summary
Elizabeth Astrab told the board she was concerned that some board members attended meetings with city and county officials and a company about a proposed data center that were not open to the public; she also asked about outstanding teacher contracts and whether convocation could proceed without contracts settled.
Elizabeth Astrab, who identified herself as a parent, addressed the board during public comment. She said she had been told there was no meeting about the data center but later learned several board members attended a meeting with city and county officials and the company, and she called for transparency about who is involved and whether board members might benefit personally.
"Who on the board is involved in this project and had the invitation? Who is benefiting from this data center that's also holding an elected official position on our school board when one of our schools is already gonna be impacted by this?" Astrab asked. She urged the board to take a public position or make clear whether members are acting in an official capacity.
Board member Mr. Smith responded that the board has not taken a position and remains neutral, and said the meeting that some trustees attended did not fall under the Kansas Open Meetings Act because it was not a meeting to consider business that would come before the board; he referred further questions to district counsel. Astrab also asked about teacher contracts; administrators said negotiations were ongoing and they anticipated a positive start to school and convocation the following day.
