The citizens, taxpayers and parents of students within the Battle Ground School District should be aware that a vote for the incumbent in the District No. 4 race is a vote condoning non-transparency within a public body.
The Battle Ground Public Schools (BGPS) Board of Directors, of which Mavis Nickels was already a member, withheld information from the public regarding the severance deal with former Superintendent Shonny Bria that cost over $400,000, while persistently claiming no such deal had been struck until the proverbial last moment when it could no longer be kept secret and monies were paid from public funds to facilitate the departure of Ms. Bria.
Is this what the public expects and deserves? Should we return someone to office who is blasé about our hard earned tax dollars and our right to know how they’re being spent? Of course it’s easier to avoid dissent when there’s no timely disclosure.
We don’t agree that the best interests of the students, their taxpaying parents or the citizens of the community were respected in this situation. We need a strong voice on the Board who won’t just go along to get along. That’s why we are supporting Dick Rylander for director, District No. 4.
We have known Dick for many years and he has proven himself to be thorough, inquisitive and committed to doing the right thing. We urge our fellow citizens to send Dick Rylander to the BGPS Board of Directors. He’ll watch your dollars and cents with commitment to his oath of office and plain old common sense.
Leo & Lee Moon
Battle Ground
