Dear Editor:
Easton Valley’s Lack of Transparency & Financial Responsibility
After my last letter to the editor, Easton Valley Board Vice President Jodi Meyer and Facilities Committee Member Brandon Ross Marburger publicly commented on my Facebook page, dismissing concerns about transparency and responsible spending. Their responses only reinforce the district’s ongoing failure to provide accountability to taxpayers.
Lack of Public Access to Information
Facilities Committee Member Marburger claimed that what happens in committee meetings “is not necessary to be public.” This misrepresents how public governance works.
According to Easton Valley Board Policy 209, ad hoc committees are created to research and make recommendations. They must maintain transparency—not just share the “end result” after decisions are made. Without documentation, the public has no way to verify whether committee members are making informed decisions.
Where Are the Meeting Minutes?
Despite repeated requests, the district admitted that no official Facilities Committee meeting minutes exist. If no minutes are taken, how are committee members tracking discussions, financial reviews, or research into funding alternatives? Without records, the public cannot follow the process or hold decision-makers accountable.
Failure to Conduct Proper Financial Oversight
Easton Valley is required to have an annual audit to assess its financial health. This report is crucial for making informed budget decisions, including any proposed tax increases.
However, the 2024 audit has not been received. Without it, how can the board responsibly approve and publish a proposed property tax increase? The audit provides critical insights into potential budget shortfalls and spending practices. Pushing forward with tax increases before reviewing this information is irresponsible.
Failure to Research Grants
Jodi Meyer claimed that the district has explored grant opportunities. If so, where is the documentation? No Facilities Committee meeting has produced records showing what grants were reviewed, which ones the district qualifies for, or any applications submitted.
Superintendent Chris Fee stated, “We can’t apply for a grant because we don’t have a plan.” That statement alone proves the district has not seriously investigated funding options that could offset taxpayer costs. Researching grants first would allow the district to plan around available funding instead of relying solely on taxpayers.
ADA Compliance Still Overlooked
Jodi Meyer publicly commented, asking: “What federal ADA requirements does our district not meet?”
The answer is straightforward: wheelchair accessibility issues, lack of proper entrances, and inadequate parking accommodations. These are clear violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and should have been addressed long before discussing multimillion-dollar facility upgrades.
Why is the district prioritizing athletic facility expansions when basic accessibility issues remain unresolved? Ensuring ADA compliance should be a fundamental responsibility of the school board, yet it has been ignored in favor of unnecessary spending projects.
Rushing Another Multimillion-Dollar Proposal
At the February 19th Facilities Committee meeting, multiple committee members expressed surprise at the financial estimates, proving they had not been given time to fully review the proposal. Despite this, Fee is already pushing for board approval at the March 26th meeting, just as he did before the failed 2023 referendum.
Taxpayers rejected the last rushed proposal. Why is the administration repeating the same mistakes?
A Call for Financial Accountability
Easton Valley taxpayers deserve transparency and responsible leadership. The board and administration must follow financial reporting laws, conduct annual audits, document committee meetings, and provide full financial information before making multimillion-dollar decisions. Anything less is a disservice to taxpayers.
Richard Betts
