Southmoreland School Board advances payroll assistant posting amid nepotism and transparency concerns

The Southmoreland School District board on a special meeting removed an assistant business manager/payroll position from the table and authorized administration to post and advertise the role after extensive public comment criticizing the hiring process and alleging nepotism.

Residents and parents told the board they were concerned the administration had pushed the position forward without enough comparative data or transparency. "It is a clear misuse of taxpayer money and abuse of funds," said one commenter who urged the board to table the hire and examine outsourcing or internal reassignments. Another longtime taxpayer, Rhonda Hamrock, asked the board to "please ask the questions of our administration that need to be asked, and please do not chastise board members that choose to ask the tough questions."

The superintendent outlined the district's hiring process, saying postings occur internally and externally per contractual timelines, applications are screened with a scoring tool, and finalists go through first- and second-round interviews that can include board members. The superintendent acknowledged a fingerprint clearance for one candidate was delayed but later obtained. An administrator responding to allegations said she had provided comparative outsourcing data to the board and denied having personal ties with the recommended candidate: "I assure you, I don't," she said when asked about a suggested relationship.

Board members debated procedural questions raised by citizens, including whether all voting board members should receive copies of applicants' materials. Several members said historic practice varied: some recalled receiving resumes at interviews but not being sent all application packets in advance. The board directed administration to post the administrative assistant/payroll position; one board member said the district planned to post the opening the following day.

The meeting record shows a motion to remove the item from the table was made and the chair declared the motion passed; the board then approved authorization for administration to post and advertise the payroll-related position. The vote to authorize posting was taken by voice and recorded as approved.

Speakers at the meeting repeatedly urged the board to explore outsourcing payroll as a cost-saving alternative and to prioritize internal applicants where feasible. One commenter said the district's budget had increased an average of "$1,030,250 a year" from 2020 to 2024, and asked the board to watch expenditures. The board also agreed to raise the question of how applicant records are shared in its personnel committee so members can discuss whether to provide a list of applicants or limited documents in future hires.

The board did not adopt hiring decisions at the meeting beyond authorizing the posting; next steps are for administration to advertise the position and return with applicant materials and recommendations in a future meeting.