Capitol News

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has criticized the Rochester School Board’s recent decision to censure Trustee Carol Beth Litkouhi. The board took action after Litkouhi published an op-ed in the Detroit News questioning a proposed countywide “enhancement millage” that would increase taxes for Oakland County residents.

Litkouhi was removed from all committees following her public comments. She stated, “As an elected official, it is my duty to seek community input before making decisions. Taxpayers have a right to know when a new tax is being considered, not after it’s put on the ballot.”

The school board cited an “ethics statement” that they claim restricts trustees from sharing information publicly unless authorized by the board. The Mackinac Center argues that this bylaw is unclear and overly broad, and contends it violates First Amendment rights. According to the organization, the information about the tax proposal mentioned by Litkouhi was not confidential or privileged, and the bylaw is being used to limit public discussion of policy matters.

Derk Wilcox, senior attorney at the Mackinac Center, commented on the situation: “The board’s attempt to silence one of its own for speaking publicly about a tax proposal is deeply troubling. Elected trustees answer to voters, not to superintendents.”