WhidbeyHealth’s board of commissioners and administrators just don’t get it: They work for the taxpayers — they must be accountable for every single action and for every penny of the public’s money that they spend.

The latest revelation, that Chief Nursing Officer Linda Gipson was floated a $250,000 loan, apparently secured by just a wink and a nod, speaks to either the hospital board’s extreme disregard for the law or an arrogance that won’t disappear until the entire board is replaced.

Gipson, who was accused and later found not guilty of assaulting a patient, used the loan to hire an attorney and to bring in medical experts to testify on her behalf.

This veritable open checkbook essentially bought Gipson the best representation that tax money could buy. Good for her; every defendant should be so fortunate.

The state Constitution, however, expressly prohibits such a use of public’s money by a municipal corporation such as WhidbeyHealth.

The Whidbey News-Times started asking questions about this rumored loan about a year ago, and the hospital denied the newspaper’s request for documents on the issue. Hospital officials were not only evasive, as is the pattern, but they withheld the truth behind the loan.

Former CEO Tom Tomasino and the hospital board likely believed that prosecutors were wrongheaded to file charges against Gipson and were confident she would be found not guilty.

For her part, Gipson can’t be faulted for accepting the former CEO’s generous offer. She agreed to repay the loan whether or not she was convicted.

The issue lies in the perverse hospital culture that smacks of empire-building. As a shiny new wing rises as a testament to what tax dollars can accomplish, it’s starting to seem more like castle walls that hold within the “we-know-better-than-you” ruling class.

Case in point, earlier this month, the hospital board held an executive session citing “potential litigation” as the reason. The problem is, they did it without their attorney present, a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act.

Meanwhile, it’s likely the hospital district will get the money back. A District Court judge ruled that Gipson should be reimbursed through a special state fund.

The state Attorney General fought that decision and appealed, but so far a Superior Court judge has consistently sided with Gipson.

Regardless, the real issue is the role of public officials and their responsibility to the taxpayers.

It’s past time for real change at WhidbeyHealth, not just a change in its moniker. The current elected board should consider stepping down to clear the way for new representation that will create a culture of accountability, transparency and inclusiveness clearly lacking in the current leadership.

For this to happen, members of the public have to step up and be willing to serve.