Good evening, Mr. Evans, Dr. Willow and Board members. As you know, I am Roger Stenersen, Communications Director for Rising to Learn.
After introducing the Public Comment portion of this board’s public business meeting the presiding officer has routinely read from Policy KD. Since time as been taken to read the policy and duly inform those who plan to speak, it is assumed by those in attendance and those listening or viewing the meeting that the reason for doing so is to set the expectation that those who come to the table to speak during public comment will adhere to the policy. However, while expectations are set at each meeting, there has been no enforcement of Policy KD and no consequence for those who choose not to abide by Policy KD.
At your June 16th business meeting during Board Member Comments, Member Linda Murray looked to Mr. Evans, the presiding officer and said, “I have a question for you.” She asked a question that has been on the minds of many in WCPS, and our community as a whole. Mrs. Murray’s question was – “Are we ever going to enforce Policy KD?” Mrs. Murray ended her comments with “Let’s start enforcing the policy, please.” Mrs. Beachley’s take on Policy KD was, “I don’t think it applies to elected officials. I could be wrong, but I think it’s only staff.”
Mr. Evans, your response, as President, was telling. From what you said in the June 16th meeting you have no intention of enforcing Policy KD. You claimed that you, yourself, had been attacked. Your words that evening were, and I quote – “Yeah, I mean we can look at uh county commissioners for why I didn’t cut that off. It’s uh pretty clear I’m not in the mood to lose a lawsuit when uh that happened. Uh, I mean, I come up here and get attacked and I don’t cut them off either. So, I don’t. I don’t realize what the problem is. So, you know, and I’m just thinking you know, it’s, it’s a shame that people do go and abuse the system and I don’t agree with the antics of it. But at the end of the day court cases have shown that if I, if I would cut him off there, then I would have got sued. The man has been cleared that the man has a right to go and, and say stuff that we don’t like to hear. I don’t like to hear it. But, it’s, I mean, I don’t know what you expect from me.” (End quote)
Are stakeholders now to assume that the intent of this Board is to allow anyone, and in particular one individual, time and time again, to speak using “language or conduct that is profane, boisterous, insolent, or offensive.” and to speak off topic disregarding the stipulation in policy that “speakers may address any topic concerning Washington County Public Schools’ educational environment, student well-being, and school operations.”?
If so, then why have it in Board Policy that such language and conduct will not be permitted in order to “maintain an environment conducive to the Board’s educational mission and responsibilities”?
More than a few attendees at BOE business meetings have asked either by individual public comment or by other means for Policy KD to be enforced. Those requests have been ignored.
On more than one occasion when discussing other Board Policies such as those on cell phone usage during the school day and student behavior and discipline, individual board members have faulted the superintendent and school administrators for not adhering to and enforcing those existing policies. Does this Board not recognize the hypocrisy? Is it or is it not the expectation of this Board that ALL Board Policies will be followed and enforced?
It would not be appropriate to answer for Mrs. Murray with regard to what she expects from you, Mr. Evans. However, the public will answer for itself. What is expected, Mr. Evans, is this: as the presiding officer of a WCBOE business meeting you are expected to:
- Enforce Policy KD.
- Interrupt any speaker who is off topic, profane, boisterous, insolent, or offensive as it is not to be permitted in order to maintain an environment conducive to the Board’s educational mission and responsibilities.
- If the speaker does not comply. Turn off the microphone and ask security to escort the speaker to their seat.
If you can’t meet those expectations, Mr. Evans, then, please:
- Don’t expect anyone – student, staff, the superintendent, or the general public to adhere to any policy if individually and collectively board members will not adhere to existing policies.
- Don’t expect the superintendent or staff to enforce any policy if the board individually and collectively will not enforce its policies.
- Stop presiding at business meetings and allow someone to preside who will uphold and enforce Policy.
- Begin the process of revising the language of Policy KD, so it can and will be adhered to and enforced by any presiding officer.