The head of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP on Tuesday asked the Limestone County school board to reconsider its policy regarding how the public addresses the board.

Benard Simelton read a portion of the First Amendment to the board, including the phrase, “petition the government for a redress of grievances.” He said the redress of grievances is a right of every citizen, but questioned the current board policy passed in July 2014.

Simelton said a group of concerned citizens were denied access to speak at a previous board meeting, which he called “a violation of the Constitution.”

Board President Charles Shoulders read the school board’s policy at the meeting, which was held at the Limestone County Career Technical Center. Despite there being a standing-room only crowd, only six people had satisfied the board’s requirement to address the board.

The policy, approved in July 2014, is as follows:

• Individuals or delegations of individuals desiring to address the board at a public meeting must submit a written notice of their request to the superintendent at least five calendar days prior to the meeting date, provided the notice requirement may be waived at the discretion of the superintendent. (Previous policy required those who wished to speak call 24 hours in advance of a meeting and fill out a form to get on the list to speak);

• Each delegation of individuals must select one of its members as the spokesperson. The speaker will be provided 3 minutes;

• The matter must have been discussed with appropriated staff and administration prior to the board meeting. (Previous policy required no such prior approval);

• The board authorizes the president or presiding officer of the board full authority to terminate the remarks of any person when such remarks have as their objective a personal attack on any person associated with the school system; and

• The board reserves the right to establish such other lawful and reasonable rules, procedures and limitation on public presentations as it may deem necessary and appropriate to the efficient execution of board business.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, three of the six people who spoke asked for an update on the investigation into Tanner Principal Louis Gordon, who was placed on administrative leave March 12. The board listened to their concerns but did not interact with the public.

Simelton asked that the policy be changed so a majority of board members decide whether or not an issue can come before the board as opposed to someone at the central office.

“We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship. … It’s a shame you have a policy that allows one individual to make a decision about whether a person can address the school board,” he said. “Look at the policy and consider what is in the best interest of the people of Limestone County.”

Other policies

The LCS board policy differs greatly from other governmental boards in Athens and Limestone County. Those wishing to speak to the Limestone County Commission or Athens City Council are required to give their name and address to an on-site administrator, then they can address those bodies about any topic they please.

Athens City Schools simply asks those wishing to address the city board to call anytime in advance of the meeting so the appropriate materials can be prepared. Dr. Trey Holladay said the board asks the public to speak about agenda items only at a regular session, but other topics may be presented during a work session.

Holladay said if concerned parents or members of the community call ahead, their questions or concerns may often be addressed prior to meetings.

Worth reconsidering?

Board member Bret McGill, who won election to the District 2 seat in 2010, couldn’t recall what led to the more stringent policy. He said he might be willing to re-exmaine the policy, however.

McGill explained the board’s responsibility is to establish school policy, not deal with day-to-day issues that should be solved at the school level. He said principals and administrators are hired to address operational issues, not the elected board.

“I would hope (the policy) wasn’t put in place to make it harder to get to the board,” he said. “Most situations can be resolved at the building level.”

He explained some members of the community get upset because board members don’t have a running dialogue with those who speak. He explained in cases where false statements are made, board dialogue could be “counter-intuitive.”

“Maybe it’s time to look at the policy and come up with a change,” he said. “I’m not opposed to looking at it.”