Dozens of former Lakeland Joint School District employees and other interested patrons are calling for the resignation of Lakeland School Board trustees.

A letter signed by 84 individuals, including past superintendents, board trustees and longtime community members, was submitted to the board during Wednesday's at-capacity meeting. An abbreviated version of the letter was read aloud during public comment by former Lakeland teacher Allison Knoll, who resigned in March 2025 after teaching in Lakeland for 18 years.

The letter opened with the concern over the board placing its newest former superintendent, Rusty Taylor, on paid administrative leave.

"By the board's own admission, there was 'no misconduct, no breach of contract, no egregious behavior.' The explanation that he was 'not a good fit' raises serious concerns about judgment in leadership," Knoll said as she read the letter. "Are employment decisions now based on personality conflicts? And if so, who's next?"

It was announced in late March that Taylor, who joined the district last summer, would be placed on paid administrative leave for the remainder of his two-year, $156,000 per-year contract. 

"Mr. Taylor has stated he broke no laws and violated no policies. There is no clear legal basis for this action," Knoll said. "The claim is that it was done on the 'advice of legal counsel.' It's difficult to reconcile with the facts."

This decision will lead to more burden on the taxpayers. If an issue had occurred, it should have been documented and appropriately handled, severing his contract, Knoll said.

"Instead, the decision indicates a deliberate and premeditated choice as board of trustees to take vindictive action against Mr. Taylor," she said.

This reveals a toxic working relationship between the board and upper management over the past several years, Knoll continued. In the past four years, six different people have vacated the clerk of the board position.

"Virtually all of them left under duress because of the toxic work environment with the board of trustees, yet there has been no meaningful reflection or course correction from the board," she said.

At the same time, the district is one of only two school districts in the state that has consistently not been a member of the Idaho School Board Association, "citing costs as the reason while now expecting taxpayers to absorb a contract payout approaching $200,000."

The letter also shares concerns about recent board actions having a negative impact on the upcoming plant facilities levy as well as Lakeland earning the nickname "North Idaho College 2.0," as NIC was recently in a similar situation with its board.

Lakeland trustees could repair some of the damage by restoring Taylor to his rightful position as superintendent, Knoll said.

"Failing that, we urge individual trustees to search their conscience to conclude the best thing for the district and the community would be to resign their positions immediately," she said.

Several others spoke during about 20 minutes of public comment. Megan Hall of Garwood said the people of the Lakeland community are frustrated and exhausted by the direction of this board.

"Roughly eight years ago, Lakeland looked very different. Levies passed, families wanted their kids here, the district was respected. There was trust between the board, the staff and the community," she said. "That trust has been broken."

At the beginning of the meeting, Chair Michelle Thompson addressed the room and emphasized the board would not respond to inquiries about Taylor. She said the board understands there are many questions about its unanimous action to place Taylor on administrative leave.

"As much as we would like to answer your questions, state law prevents us from sharing information about the performance of a public employee," Thompson said. "It is our duty to act within the best interest of the district, even if our legal limitations leave more questions than answers."

She said answering questions about any district employee could "open the door for legal action and additional costs that would not be in the best interest of the district."

An item that will return to the board is Policy 1410, which trustees briefly discussed near the end of the meeting. Proposed changes to the policy would tighten restrictions on future superintendents while increasing board control. Interim Superintendent Jake Massey said he is worried proposed changes would leave too much room for interpretation.

Former Lakeland superintendent and school board member Bob Jones attended the meeting.

"I'm really concerned and really saddened by what's happening with the district, with the board in particular," he said. "It's a tough go right now. I've got 34 years with the school district, my heart and soul, I have so much love for the district and the community. It's just really sad to watch what's happening right now."