LPOSD's Woodward is secreting documents

LPOSD Superintendent Shawn Woodward for consecutive years refuses after multiple requests to expose the foundation for his extravagant annual “bonus/compensation” amount of $15,000 (plus/minus). The “public employee” bonus item is an extension of his contract, which is a public document.

According to an Idaho Deputy Attorney General, “A superintendent’s contract and compensation under the contract is considered a public record … While some of the matters mentioned, performance ratings and goals, may have been discussed in executive session, that does not prevent the individual from making a public record request for any underlying documents that they believe exist.” What is Woodward hiding, perhaps a $15,000 bonus for failure to pass a levy that cost approximately $75,000 in election costs as well as $18,000-plus in engineering costs.

Additionally, an email from March 9, 2016, which was originally redacted, then later obtained without redaction, shows further alleged willful and misapplication of I.C.74-102 (public document request). The violation of redacted information reads, “What will be the projects split between the firms? I remember we threw out a few variations, but I don’t remember what the result was.” Nothing is confidential, not even LPOSD control of the project.

Further, another email of March 2, 2016, which was originally redacted, then later obtained without redaction, shows further alleged willful and misapplication of I.C.74-102. The redacted information states, “The timeliness on this response is important as it involves direction to our architects as to where to build a brand new alternative high school … (i.e., $5-10 million in new construction costs).” Per the Idaho deputy attorney general’s response to me, “you’re correct, the section states the ‘alternative high school programs conducted during the regular school year will be located on a separate site from the regular high school facility or be scheduled at a time different from the regular school hours … intent to separate students.”

Lastly, another email of Jan. 12, 2017, seeking a “new / revised levy option proposal,” was denied by LPOSD, with the stated reasoning, “our attorney has stated if information about a document is going to be explained, we do not have to give it up.” Mr. Woodward and the voting public, I challenge anyone to find the above statement of claim/reliance anywhere in the document exemptions listed within I.C.74-104 through I.C.74-114.

Mr. Woodward, concealing documents and then hiding behind the retained attorney inappropriately, does little for public trust. Systematic secrecy of any public official’s action, including Woodward’s demands more than cursory attention. The best resolution is to “no vote” each incumbent school board trustee who authorizes, permits and sanctions institutional attitudes of alleged misfeasance, in each bi-annual off-election- year, the next being Geraldine Lewis and Purley Decker in May 2019.

Mr. Woodward, the custodian of the records has institutional and personal responsibility to be honest with the taxpayers. LPOSD’s ongoing second run at a facility levy needs consideration of the following. Without an LPOSD forensic audit, we are entrusted to do it ourselves.

DANIEL ROSE

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