PBC School Board Members Attempt to Quiet Parents/Residents
December 16, 2021
I attended the PBC School Board 12/15/2021 for one reason. The School Board is attempting to limit speaker’s voices. Many parents attend these meetings, and speak on issues that affect their children’s education, hoping for relief from School Board Members, that seldom come according to the parents, so they continue to appear and speak up over and over again and I listened to a child tell how he is bullied in school.
As I listened to parents many spoke with passion and a couple of people I could hear anger in their voices, and definitely related to them. I have appeared at every WPB City Commission meeting and have commented many times and when the people elected to make change look at you glassy eyed watching the clock to see your time run down. What to do? Repeat and do over.
What the board is attempting to do.
When many parents show up and each speak for 3 minutes that extends the meeting for hours and the board finds that unacceptable, so they want to limit public comment to one hour and each speaker is allowed 6 minutes, meaning 10 parents will be chosen to speak. Out of 10 speakers I can’t help but wonder how many of them will be “friends” of the board who speak their praises with pats on the back. Also, no speaker can mention a board member by name. Below is what I read at the board meeting.
“Full disclosure, I don’t have children or grandchildren in school. I don’t have children. I am concerned about the Palm Beach Co. School Board examining new rules for school board meetings.
I sent an email on 12/5/2021 @ 9:32 AM to all 7 School Board Members. It was a test.
“I wish to attend the school board meeting on 12/15/2021 and be allowed to make a public comment. Please confirm request received.”
School Board Member Alexandria Ayala responded to my email at 9:32AM. Don’t get any better than that. I want to feel free to make that comment and let her know I appreciated her quick response and allow those present to also appreciate her, while telling the other 6 board members I didn’t appreciate being ignored without actually mentioning it.
I also want to be able to say I am a strong believer in term limits and in my opinion, Ms. Robinson first elected in 2000 with 21 years on the board and up for re-election in 2022 has put her time in and should consider retirement.
I cancelled dinner with a friend to attend this meeting, drove to the meeting, and waited patiently to have my opinion heard and considered.
Please think where your decision will take us. If you successfully pass this other government officials will follow suit, and attempt to stifle residents. If you don’t agree with what I say, that is your right, and if I don’t agree with your decisions, that is my right also. It is also my right according to the First Amendment which allows me the freedom to speak my mind to elected officials.
Listening to these parents speak up I now fully understand the old saying “beware of coming between momma & pappa bear and their cubs.”
If they do pass these new rules, I am certain lawsuits will follow, and defending the lawsuit tax money will be used, taking even more dollars from schools already running on a shoestring.
I must end on this note. With the exception of 2 school board members, all removed their mask, and every word spoken could be heard and understood. My old ears appreciated the gesture. Thank you!
I’m looking at our future.
The end!