Dear Editor,
My name is Adam Burken, and I am a TAX PAYING PARENT in the Easton Valley School District. I am writing this because there is a need to fact check many things in Richard Betts letter to the editor in the Preston Times on September 17, 2025.
The first lie Betts stated is, “the backlash for forced his resignation and cost Central taxpayers over $100,000 in attorney fees”. Where does this number come from? If what Mr. Trenkamp did was illegal or worthy of termination, why did it cost so much, if that is really the case?
Another lie Betts stated is, “equally troubling, my research of the IowaWorks system shows three candidates applied through the proper state-mandated process. None of them were Trenkamp”. Who applied for a position with a school district is not public information. The only way for Betts to know who applied for this position was to pose as an Easton Valley employee.
“Nick Trenkamp is licensed only in Art”, is the third lie from Betts. If he did his research he would have come to realize Trenkamp is no longer licensed in art and holds a license to be a principal, special education supervisor, superintendent and AEA administrator, which is public knowledge.
As you can see by the facts Trenkamp is more than qualified to do the job of Special Education Director in Easton Valley. Not only because of his qualifications but also with his ties to the community and drive to help students and our community thrive.
It is time to stand up as a community and hold Betts accountable for his false accusations. We can no longer stand idle as Betts tries to take down the core of our community in which we all work hard to build and continue to grow!
Adam Burken -Miles, IA
