On MV-BT School- POINT: There's a way to get things done
Tue, 06/10/2025 - 2:05pm
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A Point/Counterpoint
By:
Laura Wagner, contributing writer
Publisher's note: Two Howell County reporters present opinions on the Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III School Board meeting on May 22. Contributing writer and Mountain View bureau reporter Laura Wagner presents a point below. Publisher Amanda Mendez offers a counterpoint HERE.
There's a way to get things done, and then there's a way to stand in your own way.
I was recently in attendance at a Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III school board meeting that seemed, I have heard, like the board was ignoring the speakers and not open to discussion. To me, however, I saw a school board trying to proceed through their lengthy agenda. The meetings are always very professional and move forward with little chit chat.
I am a stickler for the rules and believe if we did not have rules to follow for meetings then there would be chaos, chit chat, redirection, and the meetings would last hours. I believe that elected officials are just that, elected by the people to do a job. Why aren’t we okay with letting them do their job? If you have an issue with that, show up to more than one or two meetings. That’s a personal pet peeve of mine. Everyone wants to complain, but no one will show up in regular attendance to any meetings held in this town. No one will offer ideas or compromises. Generally, everyone just has complaints with no facts or evidence to back up their complaints.
To speak at a board meeting, community members do have to go through a process to get on the agenda and have a chance to speak. I have gone through this process when I had a grievance that needed aired during a school board meeting. My grievance touched on a specific administrator. I was allowed to speak in open session and had five minutes. I understand the frustration at only having five minutes to speak your mind, especially when essentially nothing comes of it during the open session. It is extremely frustrating to feel like you jumped through hoops and then nothing happened, and no discussion was held once you were able to voice your concerns. You are simply told, thank you. In my situation, because I had evidence to present, I was also heard in closed session.
Sadly, and bear in mind this is my opinion, that is the way things are run, especially when you are in a situation where you deal with people's children. I understand the board's hesitation at anything that calls into question the Sunshine Law. No one wants to be caught breaking that law, especially when the media is present. It's a complicated issue that has massive repercussions if broken.
During the board meeting, yes, the speaker was stopped because I believe the board did not know where this speaker was going. Was he going to name names of employees? Was he going to name students? What exactly was he going to say about these people and potentially their personal lives? No one knew because it was public comment, and the board was warning him.
My esteemed editor and I clash on the topic of “Personnel” in this instance. Nothing is better than a debate where both sides can be heard and discussed --all done civilly with friendship intact of course. On the topic of open and closed session meetings, is it better to say it all in open or try and be cautious when touching on subjects of the Sunshine Law and move to closed. Where’s the line drawn? Especially when it’s a meeting involving children. I’m all about open government, and if a board is trying to be cautious, then I’m okay with that. If they are trying to hide something in closed, well then, that’s my job to figure it out. It is always better though to have a conversation in the open.
Sadly, a lot of the times the results of airing grievances and concerns at a board meeting are not something that can be seen by community members. In this aspect, Amanda and I agree … a public forum would be a great way for the average citizen to gain a better understanding of how board meetings are run, the procedures for getting placed on the agenda, the stipulations of speaking at a board meeting, and a place to air grievances, concerns, and ask questions. All, of course moderated, so the tone is civil. Over the last several years I have had the privilege to do numerous events with Amanda, ones in which a large number of questions were asked, voices were heard, and everyone left with a better understanding of things.
I believe, after the events of this school board meeting, that we are almost at an impasse. Community members are upset, and rightfully so, their children are involved. It is time for a middle ground meeting where we can all get on the same page and move forward with the best interest of our children’s futures in mind.