Board approves hiring of superintendent's nephew and a board member's husband, with written conflict-of-interest certifications

What happened

At the July 27, 2026 special called meeting, the board approved a personnel and coaching list that included hiring Joshua "Luke" Owens (husband of board member Angela Owens) and Caleb Church (nephew of Superintendent Mike Goforth). Both Angela Owens and Superintendent Goforth signed written certifications stating they had no involvement in the respective hiring decisions and that the hires were based on merit and competitive qualifications.

Why it matters to families

Hiring relatives of a sitting board member and the superintendent raises potential conflict-of-interest and nepotism concerns; the board's decision to require and publish formal certifications is a notable governance/transparency measure documenting how the district is managing that risk.

The evidence

Minutes state: 'I, Angela Owens, certify that I had no involvement in the hiring decision of my husband, Joshua “Luke” Owens... I, Mike Goforth, certify that I had no involvement in the hiring decision of my nephew, Caleb Church.'

The source