Last month, we published an article highlighting Board President Donna Carey and Vice President Jean Barrett on their phones during a public board meeting. If you missed it, you can read it here. At the time, we asked a simple question:
What could be more important than the students being recognized in front of them?
We Filed an OPRA Request-Here’s the Response
In an effort to determine whether board business was being conducted on personal devices during the meeting, we filed an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request for phone records from both Donna Carey and Jean Barrett.
The response?
“We have searched the District’s records and consulted with all relevant parties regarding your inquiry. Despite our extensive review, we were unable to locate any documents matching your request criteria. As there are no documents that match your request.”
So, What Were They Really Doing?
Since no official board business was being conducted, we’re left to wonder:
📱 Were they scrolling through social media?
🎮 Playing mobile games?
💬 Texting about dinner plans?
Whatever it was, one thing is clear-it wasn’t the students in front of them.
Public Service Requires Public Engagement
Being a board member isn’t just about showing up-it’s about being present, engaged, and prioritizing the students they were elected to serve.
So, we ask again: What was more important than our kids?
Let us know your thoughts here.