Deputies called on Lyle board member for alleged theft
Published 11:10 am Tuesday, December 13, 2011
No one was carted out of this month’s Lyle Public School Board meeting, but that doesn’t mean residents aren’t still angry.
The board removed board member Dan King from his post as treasurer and elected member Jessie Meyer to the position. The board’s actions come after King spoke to the media last week about the board’s rubber signature stamp, which he said was at his house. The stamp has the signatures of board chairman Dean Rohne and vice chair Carl Truckenmiller, among others. King has had difficulty finding time to look at the district’s financial bills in the past, as his work in Rochester prevents him from coming to Lyle during school hours. He has previously asked district officials to prepare financial statements for his review, but he said district officials haven’t always complied.
District officials reportedly called the the Mower County Sheriff’s office on King, saying he stole district property. Deputies spoke with King late last week and King returned the stamp to the Sheriff’s office Friday. It is unclear if King will face charges.
“That wasn’t your stamp to take,” Truckenmiller told King during the discussion over King’s treasurer position. “You had my signature in your house.”
Truckenmiller acted as chairman as Rohne had to miss the meeting due to work.
King tried to explain his position to the board and asked to have the board explain their position during the meeting, but his requests were denied. Board members say a letter King submitted to the district served as King’s explanation.
Audience members were noticeably subdued at the meeting, which many said was on purpose. There were a few shouts from audience members asking board members to speak up, as well as a few requests to question the board. Truckenmiller told audience members who interrupted the meeting to request public comment they couldn’t speak to the board.
“Just be quiet. You’re here to observe,” Truckenmiller said at one point to audience members.
The board will soon pick a new board member to replace Scott Nelson, who resigned from the board last month as he and his family are moving to Austin. There were only five applicants for the seat, according to Lyle Superintendent Jim Dusso.
Brandon Slowinsky, Gerry Sampson, David Kline, Patrick Murphy and Wayne Frank all applied. The board will question each candidate at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, and swear in the board’s pick at the next board meeting on Jan. 9.
The board will also review its public comment policy, as well as Dusso’s superintendent contract next month. Dusso was hired in May to be superintendent of Lyle for one year, as Glenville-Emmons and Grand Meadow Superintendent Jerry Reshetar is expected to retire after this year. Reshetar, who was superintendent of all three districts as part of a consortium agreement, resigned from Lyle in April. Dusso has been Lyle Principal for more than two years.
Truckenmiller and Meyer declined to comment. King could not be reached for comment.