USD 500 board meeting… Fast Forward to 111.00

I have to respond to some of the things Dr. Winn said in this video.

First, let’s be clear: you were made aware of these concerns approximately two years ago By Scott Harding, INDECISIVE INDIVIDUAL and Myself; when I posted the Receipts from that Vegas Visit.

Wyandotte County property-tax protesters brought forward public records showing concerns about travel expenses, including hotel rooms costing hundreds of dollars per night. Those records did not stop there. There were also questions about flight records and whether children and spouses were accompanying people on trips paid for with public resources.

And here’s the part that matters: we gave you the records.

The Wyandotte County property-tax protesters brought the information forward, and records were provided to the board. So when people question why you’re being called dishonest or why people are demanding accountability, let’s not pretend these concerns suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

You were told.

You were given documentation.

People continued asking questions.

That is accountability.

It is not hate speech.

It is not a personal attack.

And it is not racism simply because someone questions your decisions or demands answers from you.

Another community member came before the board and raised concerns about millions of dollars being spent on technology and services, including ChatGPT and cell phone plans. Those questions deserve answers too.

And let’s talk about conflicts of interest.

You don’t only have your position with the school district. You also serve in the Kansas Legislature, and you have involvement with the state education system. When someone holds multiple public roles, it is reasonable for the public to ask questions about potential conflicts of interest, transparency, and accountability.

That’s not an attack. That’s what citizens are supposed to do-It is Our Duty as Voters and Taxpayers!

And please don’t use your attorneys as a shield from legitimate questions.

There are serious concerns in this community about the role and influence of MVP Law Firm and its involvement with multiple municipal boards. Those concerns aren’t mine alone. Members of this community have raised questions about whether the legal advice being provided and the relationships involved deserve greater scrutiny.

If you want to talk about accountability, then let’s talk about everybody’s accountability.

And please don’t insult the intelligence of the people asking these questions by suggesting we don’t understand how these systems work.

We do.

The people you’ve been dealing with have spent years researching these systems, requesting records, attending meetings, reading policies, filing complaints, and asking questions.

What we keep hearing is that people need more time.

More time to respond.

More time to investigate.

More time to figure things out.

But here’s the problem:

Carolyn Cahirr didn’t need more time.

Chris Croft didn’t need more time.

Chris Croft came into this community and assisted people affected by this storm. He came into areas that included your district and Wanda Page’s district because people needed help.

Meanwhile, where was the public response from you for the people in the 34th and 35th districts who were affected?

Where was the public call for assistance?

Where was the public message asking people to pray for or help the families who were dealing with destroyed homes, power outages, lost food, and other storm damage?

Instead, we’re hearing about 24 cases of water provided to students.

And that’s fine. Helping students is good.

But if that’s what you’re presenting as your response to a disaster affecting your constituents, then people have every right to ask: What else did you do? Where is the documentation? Where is the video? Where are the records?

Because the people paying for these institutions have a right to know what their representatives and public officials are doing.

And yes, when you receive compensation, benefits, or other public resources through public institutions, the public has every right to ask questions about how those positions are being carried out.

So let’s stop confusing being questioned with being attacked.

Let’s stop confusing accountability with hate speech.

Let’s stop calling citizens racist simply because they demand answers.

You don’t have to agree with us.

You don’t have to like the questions.

But you do have to answer legitimate questions when you’re entrusted with public resources and public responsibility.

Not today, Valdenia. Not today.

We’re not attacking you.

We’re holding you accountable.

CeCe Harlin