I am compelled to respond to Kari McVeigh’s recent letter to the editor published on July 10, 2024, titled “Kari McVeigh responds to attacks.” While Ms. McVeigh attempts to frame the previous news coverage as an unwarranted assault on her campaign, it is crucial that we examine the facts more deeply.

McVeigh claims that she voluntarily resigned from the district, yet the evidence points in a different direction. An article by Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle, dated October 26, 2014, provides a comprehensive account of her departure and other details, which unequivocally states that she was terminated on the same day she asserts she quit. This discrepancy is alarming and raises questions about her credibility. This article can be read online at [San Francisco Chronicle Article] (https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Fired-school-leaders-get-big-payouts-5847735.php)

Furthermore, her letter conveniently omits contentious details surrounding her financial dealings, which according to the article, included her earning over $600,000 in a single year. Additionally, Ms. McVeigh’s other legal battles with the district cannot be overlooked. According to the article, she initiated a lawsuit seeking lifetime health and dental benefits that was eventually settled, but the details remain sealed from the public domain. The school district subsequently filed a cross-complaint asserting that if she retired, she must return the $330,000 severance payment she received.

With such a complicated history, we must ask: if elected as county commissioner, would Ms. McVeigh engage in litigation upon her departure from the county?

In this election cycle, we need transparency and accountability in our leaders. It is vital to examine the records of those we elect, ensuring they align with our community’s values and expectations.

David Johnson

San Juan Island