Kyle and Sheen Parks appeared at the October 14th U235 board meeting, representing a group of concerned patrons and gave the following address:
“We are appearing with concerns that have arisen from the appearance of U235 Superintendent, Vance Eden at the September 16, 2024 Bourbon County Commission meeting as well as a Letter to the Editor that he submitted to the Fort Scott Tribune, printed September 28, 2024.
In both his appearance and letter, Mr. Eden urges support of industrial solar development projects and justifies this support with an illustration of how he believes the potential developments will help U235. It is our feeling as taxpayers and patrons of this district, that these representations are not in the best interest of the district for multiple reasons.
First: Mr. Eden references facilities improvements that these unrealized funds could potentially finance. He says in his statements that solar developments may be negative for a few people, but will help the district as a whole. In November of 2023 the voters rejected the bond proposal to make these suggested improvements by an overwhelming majority of more than 60%. The answer should not now be, “a few will be negatively impacted”: when the means to accomplish the improvements by way of payments from the majority, was so overwhelmingly overturned.
Secondly: The “few negatively impacted” are still patrons of U235, some are teachers in the schools, and some are children in the halls. The Superintendent’s statements are insensitive and create an uncomfortable environment for those who may oppose the issue. They involve the district in politics unnecessarily.
Third: A Conflict of Interest occurs when an individual’s personal interests – family, friendships, financial or social factors – could compromise his or her judgment, decisions, or actions in the workplace.
Mr. Eden’s parents have entered into leases with the solar developers. Leases of a length that could quite possibly outlast them. These are publicly available at the Bourbon County Courthouse, Register of Deeds. The personal financial benefit is in the millions on an annual basis. While Mr. Eden may feel that he is speaking individually, his title does not allow separation from the district. He is not just a teacher or employee, he is THE Superintendent. And while the headline may have been misleading, his words represented the district, inaccurately I may add, as all patrons are not in support of these projects. He cannot lay aside his title any easier than he can lay aside his last name. This action was unprofessional at best and unethical at worst.
We feel it would be appropriate for a reprimand for conduct unbecoming a superintendent, or at least to direct Mr. Eden to send a letter to the Tribune stating that his thoughts are not representative of the Board.
If these projects come to fruition, and the district stands to benefit, the superintendent’s involvement would be appropriate in determining logistics of fund distribution – anything before that is a political storm in which the district does not belong.”
The result of this presentation was simply a statement from the board that they do not have a stance on this issue.
Kyle and Sheena Parks
U.S.D.235 Patrons