GREENE COUNTY
Last week’s Greene County Board of Education meeting saw the passage of a new policy aimed at discontinuing public comments at all subsequent BOE meetings.
Despite several assurances that the new policy may be a better approach to answering questions, many in attendance came to voice their concerns with the decision. The new policy passed 4-1 with board member Regina Gainer in dissent.
The policy comes on the heels of many BOE meetings and county meetings like it nationwide that have become sounding boards for dissent on many social issues, namely book banning, new textbooks being introduced, LGBTQ rights, equal access and more. According to Superintendent Dr. Chris Houston, the decision to pass such a policy addresses those concerns and others that bring dissenting issues and non-agenda items up for discussion in a forum not designed to readily address board issues.
Ty Dickey, a Reynolds resident with three children at Lake Oconee Academy, spoke on behalf of a group of concerned parents. The group was formed following last month’s BOE meeting, which did not see the passage of a vote to discontinue public comments.
Because it continued to be an agenda item for this month, Dickey and one other resident planned to speak.
“The obvious concern is the removal and changing of public comments,” he said. “I would question why this board of elected officials would want to limit important transparency or make it more difficult for their constituents to voice concerns about the school system.”
The BOE is in charge of educating more than 2,590 students in its five public schools. African-American students represent 44 percent of the total student population, white students account for 36 percent, and 15 percent of students are reported as Hispanic.
Last January, the BOE voted to relocate the fourth grade from its current location at Anita White Middle School for the 2023-24 school year, and a new school on Meadowcrest Road is scheduled for its groundbreaking later this summer. However, half of the district’s school children are enrolled at Lake Oconee Academy, which operates on its own charter.
Houston attempted to outline some benefits to the policy coming down from the state.
“This policy actually gives more time for discussion,” Houston said. “The meeting agendas are always posted, and we will try to be sure they are up within a week of the meeting. I personally encourage anyone to speak directly to me.”
Realtor Brian Quinn spoke at length about the concerns and said he is representing about 100 families with his comments.
“There are two ways to be a constituent here,” he said. “One is through the ballot box and right here in this room when the conversation is welcomed and addressed. This policy is scary. Every parent should be concerned as a dialogue with you is a first amendment right. Without constructive dialogue, nothing happens. We are deeply concerned and really ask why this is happening. I want every child in Greene County to have a quality education.”
The policy, which some in attendance felt was not easily understood by the board, states questions and comments for the board are essentially off the record now and must be submitted within 24 hours of the meeting.
Currently, agendas are often posted just one day prior to meetings and do not afford those attending time to discuss issues before the board.
Concerns stated also include that comments have moved from on the record and recorded to off the record. However, the main concern appears to be that the board can use discretion with any given comment and elect to address it or not.