The Vigo County School Board said in a statement Monday evening it had “very little, if any, factual” information not already publicly available about the ongoing federal probe into the school corporation.
It was the board’s first regular meeting since the FBI raided the administration building and two other school facilities on June 8. All board members except Jackie Lower were present.
About a dozen investigators spent that day executing search warrants at the administration building, information technology office on Lafayette Avenue and general services facility on Maple Avenue.
Authorities seized financial records, computers, thumb drives and recordings, according to search warrant documents obtained by the Tribune-Star through a public records request.
The Indiana State Board of Accounts has told the Tribune-Star it “received complaints about contracting procedures” related to the school district.
“To the best of our knowledge, no individual has received a target letter, and no charges have been filed,” board secretary Tammy Pearson read from a prepared statement, on the board’s behalf.
Pearson stated the board has followed the process of having its attorneys “make comments or clarifications” on behalf of the board, and that policy will continue.
“This is what they have recommended in order to maintain everything in the proper legal context,” Pearson stated.
She said the board’s attorneys would continue making “comments or clarifications” on members’ behalf, as recommended “in order to maintain everything in the proper legal context.”
The corporation, meanwhile, is focused on summer programs, building maintenance projects and preparing for the coming school year, she stated.
“Should there be further developments, we will always determine what is in the best interest of the [Vigo County School Corp.], the Vigo County community, and of course, properly notify the public,” Pearson said, reading from the statement.
No further remarks were made during the meeting pertaining to the investigation.
Throughout the process, administrators, board members, attorneys, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office have all declined to comment on specifics. Members of the public did not offer comments during the meeting.
Superintendent Danny Tanoos was seen hugging and speaking with board members before the meeting began.
When the regular meeting adjourned, board members held an executive session on matters related to the investigation.
Trustees were to discuss records classified as confidential by state or federal statute and receive training from an outside consultant, according to the agenda. Executive sessions are closed, by law, to the public and the press.
Speaking to the Tribune-Star last week, attorney Charles Rubright said members would be advised of their legal responsibilities and obligations, and “how they should respond and act” pending the investigation’s outcome.
Rubright said he and colleague John Mayes of law firm Bose, McKinney & Evans would conduct the training.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m., at least two hours after the executive session convened, media asked board attorney Joe Etling if there was any additional information he could provide.
“No,” Etling replied, standing in the administration building’s east parking lot. Rubright had been seen moments earlier leaving the building.