So, I’m suing. And this is entirely on the Gilford School Board simply because they were too arrogant to answer simple questions. Most School Boards are.
While most elected Representatives know that they are accountable to their constituents, the NH School Board Association (and the lawyers that work for them as well as to School Boards) have convinced the elected Representatives (In this case, Chairman Gretchen Gandini, Vice-Chair Karen Thurston, Jeanin Onos, Kyle Sanborn, and Audra Kelly) that they are something “special” and are “above” all the regular norms of being such a representative.
Oh, and did I just forget to lump in all of the self-serving Svengalis to School Boards otherwise known as “Superintendents”? Yeah, I did. So, School Board members answer to no one and it’s generally impossible to get a straight answer out of these “representatives”. And I bet I can guess how the lawyer is already trying to get them all in line (having heard this tactic several times over the years).
So given that, I want to know what’s in their “Legal Kitty” before we start. It’s actually a good thing to ask for, dear readers, from time to time. You want to know why?
Yes, I am doing this because I demand my school district and its Board FOLLOW THE LAW. Plain and simple. But as you’ve watched this last year, they believe they don’t have to tell anyone ANY thing unless you pry it out of their cold dead hands (or black hearts – your choice). The action of this School Board (and many other governmental entities around the State) shows the need for and the Power therein of a Right To Know.
So, I gave them another Right to Know demand last night: General Ledger (“GL”) line Legal activity. I wanted to know if they’ve been stalling stymying other people as well. Knowing what they are spending tells me what they are fearful of.
I’m hoping that after last night, that activity increases a lot.
************************************
August 2, 2021
Ms. Gretchen Gandini
Chair, Gilford School Board
SAU73
2 Belknap Mtn Rd
Gilford, NH 03249
RE: Right to Know Request per RSA-91A
Dear Gilford School Board Chair Gandini,
Pursuant to the Right to Know Law (RSA. 91-A), I am demanding access, within 5 business days, to the following governmental records: For the District starting July 1, 2020 to today, August 2, 2021.
- Starting value of all General Ledger Accounts (“GL lines”) dedicated to Legal matters.
- A transaction summary report, for each GL line, of all transactions types to include (but not limited to):
- Additions to such a GL line
- Expenditures from such a GL line
- Transfers into and out of such a GL Line:
- Listing the destination GL line
- Description as to why the transfer was desired/needed
- Name of the authorizor for that transfer.
- All Invoices (and other such documents requesting payments) against those Legal GL lines
- All payment vouchers, copies of checks, documentation for any type of Electronic Funds Transfers (e.g., ACH, Paypal, et al), or other instruments of payment against those Legal GL lines
Note: I am not requesting what may have been discussed with Counsel – just payments to them.
Per RSA 91-A:4 IV(c) If you deny any portion of this request, please cite the specific exemption used to justify the denial to make each record, or part thereof, available for inspection along with a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the information withheld.
Please let me know when these records are available for inspection or you may email the records to me at Skip@GraniteGrok.com. If the volume is turns out to be substantial, I’ll be happy to supply a backup drive sufficient to hold all of your responsive records.
Thank you for your lawful attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Skip
Skip@GraniteGrok.com
