Several concerns expressed to school board

Concerns ranging from an ongoing recall process to police presence at school were expressed by audience members who addressed the Three Rivers board of education at its meeting earlier this week.
During the public-comment portion of Monday’s session, TR Cares leader Sherrie Nowicki raised the issue of an appeal filed Nov. 30 by a trio of board members targeted for recall. Nowicki alleged documents submitted to St. Joseph County Circuit Court as part of the appeal were altered compared to the original documents TR Cares had previously obtained through a Freedom Of Information Act request.
TR Cares member Doug Bingaman recalled several documents he requested through the FOIA, including personnel files of former athletic director Pete Anderson, dean of educational services Kevin Hamilton and middle school principal Brad Coon. Bingaman said he was sure he received all paperwork relevant to the request but later was proven wrong. He said the members appealing the recall process have presented information in the lawsuit that was never provided to him.
Meanwhile, Kathy Bingaman said she noticed public comments stated at board meetings are excluded from the minutes posted online. Also, there was a question about why public comment was moved from the end of the meeting’s agenda to its beginning.
Other audience members questioned why two Three Rivers Police Department cars were positioned in the parking lot outside the administration building during Monday’s meeting.