Resident urges board to delay hiring consultant, questions cuts to staff

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Allison Pella of Westlake spoke directly to the board about Policy 11.18, which the agenda shows pertains to using an independent contractor to assist in the business office.

Pella said the proposed rate—$130 per hour, with discussion of a $5,000 cap—was a “significant amount of money” and asked whether the district had obtained three competitive bids. She questioned why the district would consider cutting an assistant principal and a librarian while allocating funds to a temporary consultant, framing the choice as a matter of values as well as budget.

"I urge the board to either postpone the decision or provide a detailed explanation of why it is necessary," Pella said during her three-minute public comment.

Context: The comment came while the board was discussing agenda item 11.18. Board members acknowledged the concern but proceeded with the published agenda; no formal vote on Policy 11.18 is recorded in the transcript excerpted at that time.

What the speaker asked for: Pella requested (1) confirmation that competitive bids were solicited for the consultant, (2) an explanation for why a consultant was preferred over retaining staff, and (3) that the board postpone the decision or provide more detail before approving the policy/motion.

Board response and next steps: The transcript records the comment and follow-up acknowledgement by the presiding officer but does not include a direct rebuttal or a detailed staff response in the excerpt. The board later proceeded through action items; any formal motion or vote specifically approving Policy 11.18 is not recorded in the public-comment segment of the transcript provided.

Source and attribution: Public comment by Allison Pella, who identified herself during the meeting.