Citizens took the opportunity Monday night to voice their displeasure to the Kingfisher Board of Education regarding the possibility of their taxes being raised.

“The damage that has been done to this community is sad and the lack of self awareness for this board is really embarrassing,” said Brandi Willimon during the public comment portion of the board’s October regular meeting.“Do you think prospective business owners would consider a community where the taxes are now 20 percent higher? Do you think business owners will stay? The ripple effect will be so far-reaching that it will affect our future economy and you cannot be that glib.”

Willimon was referencing the board’s vote to settle a civil lawsuit for $5 million last year, of which $3.75 million plus interest will fall on the landowners and property owners within the school district over three years.

Initial projections of that ad valorem tax increase were about 12 percent per year.

The Kingfisher County Excise Board recently rejected the school district’s estimate of needs and instead approved the minimum allowed by state law.

That budget, according to excise board advisors at Storm & Hauser, would allow the school district to cover the settlement payment this year and not the burden on taxpayers.

The board on Monday was seeking legal counsel as to whether that move would keep the district within state regulations and, if not, could possibly affect the state aid it receives. (Note: See related story.)

Debbie Parks questioned whether it was wise for the board to continue to seek counsel from Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold, the Tulsa firm that handled the civil suit and that was also represented at Monday’s meeting by Eric Janzen.

“Perhaps it’s time to review other options for representation,” Parks said. “I urge each of you to think about your community and the families that live here and put an end to this long, drawn-out ordeal.

“The community is fed up with spending and then looking to us the taxpayers to pay for something that was completely out of our control.”

Parks started her speech with referencing the school’s insurance situation during the trial.

“It is the responsibility of the Kingfisher school district to always carry adequate insurance and we know that hasn’t always been the case,” Parks said.

Board member Brad Wittrock reminded Parks and those in the audience that KPS always had insurance coverage.

“I just want to clarify: the school has always had insurance,” Wittrock said. “I just want to make sure I put that out there.”

At the time the alleged incidents in the civil suit took place, KPS was covered by Oklahoma School Risk Management Trust (OSRMT).

That company requested much higher premiums and in 2021, KPS and many other districts switched insurance carriers to Oklahoma Schools Insurance Group.

OSRMT soon became insolvent and is now currently in the final stages of bankruptcy.

Kingfisher didn’t purchase tail coverage, a policy that extends coverage for incidents that occurred while a policy was active, but not reported until after the policy expired, from OSRMT.

The emails for such coverage were sent to former Superintendent Jason Sternberger’s email address by OSRMT. Sternberger had since taken the same position at Hennessey.

The superintendent at the time, Daniel Craig, didn’t receive the notification for the tail coverage.

Craig still spoke with OSRMT representatives within the 30-day period, but he was told the school’s policy still would not have covered the incidents alleged in the lawsuit.

“But the school has always had insurance,” reiterated Wittrock.

One woman said she was concerned what a tax hike would mean for her.

“I live on a fixed income and cannot afford these excessive taxes and I know many others in this community just like me,” said Rose Nice.

“I think the school can figure out another way to do this without burdening the community so much, especially those on a fixed income.”

Added Kelly Buck: “I could ask a thousand questions for one goal and that goal would be transparency on how did we get to this financial mess.

“Do we not have policies and procedures that are still in place? Do we not have a checks and balances procedure in place for any potential issues that may arise or do we just write the checks and hope it balances?”

Willimon said if the board chooses to not follow the excise board’s budget ruling, there could be legal action.

“Finally, I’d like to make mention, should you get your way and raise our taxes to cover your inability to save money, there’s a great many of us who have discussed forming a class and pursuing our own lawsuit,” Willimon stated.

“There are several possibilities and causes of action and our tax increases would constitute damages. And along with a petition for a state audit, we will also petition for your removal.”