There are some conclusions to be drawn from the latest head-scratcher out of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District.

The trouble-ridden district, which oversees the operation of John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool, has egg on its face after being forced to rescind an appointment on the district’s elected board because board members failed to follow the legally proper process.

That the park board made such a preventable gaffe indicates that there’s either a total lack of understanding of the law or, worse yet, a complete disregard for the legal process.

Neither excuse is acceptable.

The board failed to advertise the position properly, and the outgoing parks commissioner voted to fill his own seat — neither of which is allowed under state law governing such appointments.

That the appointee was a former staffer who was terminated in 2012 speaks poorly of the commissioners’ respect for the taxpayers.

The commissioners appointed Victoria Robinson, a former office manager for the district and treasurer of the swim team.

A state audit that followed her termination found more than $18,000 in unexplained adjustments made to swim club members’ accounts.

The audit report alleges that Robinson posted $2,738 to her own family’s account on her last day as treasurer for the swim team without making an actual payment.

The money was paid before the audit was completed.

Robinson and another terminated Park District employee filed lawsuits against the district alleging wrongful termination. The district settled with the terminated employees, paying them about $20,000 each.

That should have been the end of the matter — an agreement to part ways.

The park district commissioners need to be more cognizant of their role in protecting the public interests and preventing even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Rebuilding the trust of taxpayers must be job No. 1.

Whomever the parks board ultimately hires to fill the commissioner position should be someone without significant ties to the Park District or pool.

Don’t appoint former employees. Don’t appoint aquatic club parents.

Appoint a candidate who has a strong set of skills that could be useful on the board.

Keep everything transparent.