A lengthy exchange during the St. Helens School District board meeting centered on financial transparency and the handling of several complaints. Director Russell pressed administration for detailed accounting and alleged the district's shortfall stemmed from discretionary spending and timing rather than staffing or one-time COVID funds.

Russell cited month-by-month credit-card payment figures as evidence of unusual spending patterns: "In June 2024... we paid $53,728 to credit card companies," he said, and later listed July ($37,000), August ($61,000) and a November draw of $77,000. He also said legal invoices and several large line items contributed to the trend and that previously posted budget documents were removed from the district website during the period of concern.

Several trustees and administrators responded that contract and invoice timing can cause year-to-year differences and that some vendors accept only credit-card payments. The financial director said the district was undergoing its annual audit for the 2024 25 school year and that late invoices can appear in the subsequent fiscal year.

Separately, following an executive session on a series of complaints, the board voted to take no action on multiple complaints and to delegate response authority to the chair or vice chair in several cases. On one item—the superintendent's complaint against Director Russell—the board voted to accept the complaint and delegated authority to Chair York to retain an outside investigator to examine the matter. The vote and the investigator authorization were recorded in open session.

Superintendent Corinne Brown closed the meeting by emphasizing classroom priorities and inviting trustees to participate in learning walks; she stressed protecting student-facing staff while the board and administration continue budget work and community engagement.