Asking hard questions about how our schools handle the public’s money is not an attack on the school district or on public education in general– it’s about trust, transparency and making sure our tax dollars and our children get the protection they deserve. If you want Cabot Schools to succeed, the details matter.

On May 29th, Arkansas 1st published an article (link here) regarding the annual legislative audit report on Cabot School District, citing the Legislative Audit Management letter that was circulating on social media. That letter detailed how Cabot School District had two unauthorized withdrawals of $9,937 and $67,332, which was ultimately refunded by the banks. But the fact remains, almost $77,000 disappeared, and it looked like the district hoped no one would notice. 

Jimmie Cavin and I both sent in a FOI (Freedom of Information) request to Cabot Schools requesting information regarding the audit findings. My FOI request was sent in on May 12th, before the audit report was published. Mr. Cavin’s request was on May 28th, seven days after the audit report was published online and the Management Letter from the Legislative Audit detailing the theft was posted on social media. In both cases, Leila Seigrist of Cabot Schools denied the FOI requests, citing Arkansas Code 10-4-422(c)(1). But the truth is, that law only applies to documents still under review and held by the Legislative Audit—not to the public records already in the school’s possession, which I also specifically requested in my FOI.

Additionally, it must be noted that, in both FOI responses, Ms. Seigrist cited 10-4-422(c)(1) as an exemption for not fulfilling our requests, but using a conversation held with the Arkansas Legislative Audit Committee, as the excuse.  After the district denied our FOI’s using that exemption, I submitted another FOI request to both Ms. Seigrist and the Legislative Audit, asking for any emails or communications where the Legislative Audit specifically told Cabot Schools to use 10-4-422(c)(1) as a reason to withhold documents. The Audit Committee replied that none exist, but if it did exist, they noted that they could not release it until the final audit was approved by the committee. After getting that response, even more questions came up—especially since my FOI asked for more than just the legislative report. Did Cabot Schools choose on their own to withhold all the documents, including those already in their possession, or was there an unrecorded phone call that led them to do so?

After Jimmie Cavin notified the district that he would file suit in District Court if the FOI request was not answered, Cabot Schools released a public statement regarding the audit, along with information on the financial fraud and theft (see here). In their press release, Cabot School District stated that, after receiving an additional FOI request (the one submitted by Jimmie Cavin), they reached out to Arkansas Legislative Audit again and were advised “to move forward with releasing the audit in response to all FOIA requests”. Still, there is no record of any email communication between Cabot Schools and the Legislative Audit to verify that this advice was actually given.

Ultimately, Cabot Schools did release all email communications related to the audit, along with copies of the fraudulent checks. The records confirm there were no emails asking the Legislative Audit what to do about the FOI requests from either Jimmie or me—just the checks themselves. And these weren’t simply forged; the checks had been completely redesigned and then successfully cashed. This wasn’t the work of an amateur. It looked like a professional job from start to finish.

Here’s what should really give you pause: the district didn’t report the $67,332 theft to law enforcement until the bank insisted they do so. As for the smaller theft, there was no police report filed at all. No investigation, no explanation to parents or taxpayers about the missing funds, and no effort to find out who was responsible.

Does the size of the theft matter? Of course it does. If someone stole $100 from your home, you would call the police. Why would $77,000 be any different when the money belongs to the entire community and meant for our schools?

Some people argue that FOI requests “cost the district money,” and understand why that concern comes up. But let’s be clear: Cabot Schools—and every public school district—has a legal duty to provide public records when asked. That’s what accountability looks like. Managing records is already part of what district staff are paid to do, and just receiving a FOI request—especially for electronic records—doesn’t add much to the bottom line.

The real costs start piling up when the district chooses to deny legitimate requests, particularly when they rely on questionable reasons. That’s when a straightforward request can spiral into a legal fight, which truly does waste time and money. In this case, after the district denied the request using a law that didn’t even apply, and Jimmie Cavin threatened to take them to District Court, only then did they finally release the documents. All the hours spent drafting denials and sending emails back and forth ended up costing more than just fulfilling the request in the first place.

“Choosing secrecy over accountability doesn’t just break trust—it opens the door to even bigger problems”

For those worried about the cost of FOI requests, remember: the law exists for a reason, and it’s every citizen’s right—and responsibility—to use it. We owe it to ourselves and each other to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely and transparently. The real problem isn’t people asking questions; it’s when those in charge choose secrecy over accountability.

Choosing secrecy over accountability doesn’t just break trust—it opens the door to even bigger problems and higher costs down the road. That’s why FOI requests matter: they aren’t just paperwork or red tape. They’re one of the most basic ways we keep our schools (and all public offices) honest and open, which is something everyone in Cabot should want.

I truly am relieved the money was returned, and I’m glad the public finally got to hear how the district plans to prevent something like this from happening in the future. But it shouldn’t fall on just a handful of people to ask the tough questions—it’s something we all need to do. We keep asking and sharing what we learn because real accountability depends on it, and that’s what every citizen in Cabot deserves.

Missy Bosch

Missy is the author of “Crushed, but Not Broken”, a story detailing her daughter’s diagnosis and her family’s fight with CNS HLH. She has a passion to improve education and help children with disabilities receive the education and respect they deserve. Missy and her husband are AF veterans and have 4 children.