Formal Complaint re: Board Inaction on Third Party Investigation
March 5, 2026
Description of Complaint:
We are writing to formally express our concern regarding the delay in implementing a third-party investigation into three formal complaints submitted to the board in late 2025. The board voted unanimously to pursue an independent inquiry into these complaints at the December 8, 2025, board meeting. At the January 12, 2026, meeting, board members cast four votes to hire independent investigator Keith Ussery. Seven weeks have since elapsed, and Mr. Ussery has still not been engaged. This lack of execution indicates a failure to adhere to established board policies, an absence of follow-through on voted items, and it erodes public trust.
Furthermore, during the February 26, 2026, "Community Listening Session," a community member asked why the independent investigation has not been initiated yet. Board Member Briana Hutchens stated that during the February 9th board meeting, Board Member Martha Lane made a motion to postpone action on the investigation until they had a full seven-member board in March. However, a review of the February 9th meeting indicates that Martha Lane proposed postponing the vote on the joint Ocean Park project, not the investigator's engagement. This was a false statement about public board business for which there is a public video record.
There is no justification to postpone action until a seven-member board is present. According to the Bandon School District 54 "Board Meeting Procedures," a quorum consists of a majority of the board members. At the January 12, 2026, meeting, five of the seven seats were filled and a quorum was present. Four members voted to hire Mr. Ussery with one abstention. Therefore, the vote to engage Keith Ussery should be honored and undertaken as decided. The current delay constitutes slow rolling of the process and it obstructs progress on decisions already made by the board.
Additionally, the district’s procedures require that any board member abstaining from a vote due to a conflict of interest must state the reason, which must then be recorded. The January 12th minutes note that Board Chair Angela Cardas abstained from Action Item 5.04, yet no reason for this abstention was recorded.
Who should we talk to and what evidence should we consider?
We request that the board review the January 12, 2026, meeting minutes and the February 9, 2026, meeting video to address why this mandate has not been fulfilled. To resolve this matter and maintain ethical standards, we suggest the following actions:
Suggested Solution or Relief Sought:
1. The board immediately engages Keith Ussery to conduct the investigation as previously authorized.
2. Given that the board has determined that the allegations described in three formal complaints against an employee are serious enough to merit investigation by an independent third party, the board should place that employee on immediate administrative leave.
3. The board should not negotiate or renew the Superintendent’s contract until the third-party investigation by Keith Ussery is complete and the findings have been made public.
4. Any board members unable to fulfill their ethical obligation to follow through on public votes, or board members who make false statements about board business, should resign to allow others to serve the public interest.
We look forward to your prompt response regarding the status of this investigation.