The Lakeland Joint School District in northern Idaho has quietly locked in a three-year superintendent contract for its interim leader — without a public board vote and in a manner that has drawn scrutiny over potential violations of the state’s open meetings law.
Jake Massey, who has served as interim superintendent since March, signed a contract on June 23 that will transition him into the permanent superintendent role once certain agreed-upon conditions and prior commitments are fulfilled. The offer letter was dated June 22. Massey announced the contract to district staff via email rather than through a public board action or formal announcement at a board meeting.
Contract Bypasses Public Process
A review of board agendas and meeting minutes reveals no recorded vote authorizing the district to offer Massey a contract at any June meetings. The most recent regular board meeting, held June 17, included an “interim superintendent check-in” listed under executive session — but no public action on a contract was recorded.
The contract sets Massey’s annual salary at $152,000, reflecting a $30,000 raise from his previous assistant superintendent pay. That figure is still roughly $4,000 less per year than what his predecessor, Rusty Taylor, had been earning.
Board Chair Michelle Thompson did not respond to phone calls or questions about the contract or the process by which it was approved.
The district also faces an estimated $200,000 payout to cover the remainder of Taylor’s contract after he was placed on paid administrative leave in March. Both Massey and Taylor were new to their respective roles at the start of the 2026 school year.
When asked about the rationale for the leadership change, Massey referenced Thompson’s assessment of Taylor’s tenure. “It was a bad fit,” he said, attributing the remark to the board chair. When asked what he hoped to bring to the district, Massey offered a single word: “Stability.”
Community Tension and Legal Questions
The personnel situation unfolds against a backdrop of significant community frustration with the board. In the spring, community members publicly called on trustees to resign. A recall petition targeting board members was actively circulating as of late June.
The district also saw a plant facility levy fail in May, adding financial pressure to an already strained leadership environment. Superintendent departures at Lakeland date back to 2020, suggesting the district has faced recurring instability at the top administrative level.
Notably, trustees did not open a formal search for a permanent district leader following Taylor’s departure — instead allowing Massey’s interim appointment to evolve directly into a long-term contract.
The circumstances surrounding the contract signing have prompted a formal legal complaint. Idaho Education News filed a complaint with the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s office alleging the district violated Idaho’s open meetings law. Idaho law generally requires governing boards to take public action on significant contracts, and the apparent absence of any recorded vote raises questions about whether the proper process was followed.
Massey, 35 years old, previously worked at Kimberly Elementary, a school serving approximately 1,000 students, before moving into district administration.
What Comes Next
The Kootenai County Prosecutor’s office will now review the open meetings complaint to determine whether any legal violations occurred and what, if any, action is warranted. Community members who signed recall petitions against board members will need to meet signature thresholds to advance the recall process toward a potential election.
For Lakeland families, the coming months will likely bring continued scrutiny of board governance and transparency. The district’s willingness — or reluctance — to address the procedural questions publicly may determine whether community trust can be restored ahead of the next school year.
Bonner County residents following similar school board dynamics can find coverage of neighboring districts at the West Bonner County School District’s recent board meeting in Priest River, where the board honored five departing staff members. For broader coverage of Idaho education news, visit Idaho News.