TOPOCK, Ariz. – The Topock School Board met Thursday, August 20 in the school. After a call to the public, a letter was read by Governing Board President Joe Gardner, who said the letter was written by an attorney. The letter addressed recent public statements concerning the Topock School District including financial oversight, historical theft or embezzlement from a previous administration, budget and taxes, nepotism or family relationships of staffing members, staffing and transparency.
Principal Kaili Lee said the attorney who wrote the letter was Jim Bedletter, but the school’s attorney was verified as being instead, Jim Ledbetter of Cottonwood, Ariz. A copy of the letter has not been readily available to the public or to this newspaper, and Ledbetter has not responded for comment.
Topock school board candidate Chuck De Shazer has submitted a formal request to the school board for a copy of the letter and answers to multiple questions.
The request included to get a copy of the letter Gardner read; dates and times that Legacy Park is open to the public (when gate access will be unlocked); how many students in each of seven teacher’s classrooms, not weighted numbers, but actual bodies; when will a fee schedule to use school facilities be addressed and put on the agenda for discussion; how many meals are served in the summer food program; name and address of attorney representing the school. DeShazer stated that he has had no response from the board nor have the items been added to the next board agenda.
De Shazer asked who could address how the school buses put on 14,995 miles last school year in a town that covers two square miles. Additionally, he asked for copies of three bids for school landscaping with contact information for each contractor, and to disclose where the board published for open bids.
The school approved a contract with Colorado Group Services for $3,700 a month over the next five years, with Lee stating they continue to be the cheapest landscaping for the school. Jim Heaton, a local landscaper, spoke up and said he would do it for $2,000 a month.
The board also approved two aide/substitute teachers for $16 an hour for on-call or on an as-needed basis, one for a special needs student.
