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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks
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School Board apologizes for comments at previous meeting
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| Glenda Huff |
The Covington School Board apologized Thursday night for comments delivered by a school employee during the public input portion of the previous meeting. At that meeting two weeks ago, the employee expressed frustration with a volunteer who has become a vocal critic of the district in recent months. During the comments, several personal attacks were waged against the volunteer and the speaker went on for a few minutes longer than the typically allotted two minutes. "It's the failure of the chair (of the school board) to adhere to all the rules set forth," said Mike Fitzgerald, who stepped down as the board's chairman at that meeting citing family reasons and who offered a personal apology to the volunteer.
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Glenda Huff, presiding over her first meeting as the newly appointed chair, began the meeting with a statement of apology and by laying out the rules for public comments at future meetings. "After the last Board of Education meeting the board received inquiries raising questions and concerns over how public input was conducted," Huff said. "As elected school board members we have a responsibility to discuss these concerns with our constituents. We want you to know that the board has listened and understands the concerns."
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Huff continued, expressing "deep regret that board procedures were not read or followed which resulted in names being used and speakers exceeding time limits. We regret any embarrassment that this may have caused. While the board cannot control the thoughts of others, it can educate the public on how our meetings are to be conducted. And, more importantly, the board must and will follow its own procedures."
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The rules for public comments as referenced Thursday night:
Huff continued, expressing "deep regret that board procedures were not read or followed which resulted in names being used and speakers exceeding time limits. We regret any embarrassment that this may have caused. While the board cannot control the thoughts of others, it can educate the public on how our meetings are to be conducted. And, more importantly, the board must and will follow its own procedures."
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The rules for public comments as referenced Thursday night:
- Members of the public may address the board during the public comments without submitting an item for the agenda. No action related to comments will be taken during that portion of the meeting unless the board deems the issue an emergency.
- Speakers are asked to refrain from personal remarks in which an individual is named.
- Comments are limited to two minutes unless extended by the board chair.
- Critical comments or complaints are processed through the district's complaint procedures.
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In recent months, several Covington citizens have engaged in heated discussion about the school board, the district, and its educational results. While most of the debate has happened at online forums, the past few school board meetings have featured notable criticisms from the public. "In the months I have been attending Covington Independent School Board meetings Ihave heard reports and discussions about enrichment programs being used in our schools but have heard little about practical tools that our students can put into action when it comes to carving a place in society," said Tom Miller, whose grandchildren attend Covington schools.
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Miller continued, "I find it appalling that students in the ninth grade cannot multiply, or that they have never had to actually write a paper even as simple as a book report. Many seem to graduate without a basic knowledge of even proper conversational English. How will these students have a chance at gainful employment if they can’t even use proper business language? It’s not because they are stupid or poor, or come from a broken family. It’s because they are not taught the basic foundations of language."
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Fitzgerald welcomed the criticism but expressed concern about student images being used in anti-Covington schools videos circulating online. Fitzgerald said he ran into a Holmes student that was upset that his image was used in a YouTube video that was met with online comments that did not portray the schools "in the best of light."
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Fitzgerald welcomed the criticism but expressed concern about student images being used in anti-Covington schools videos circulating online. Fitzgerald said he ran into a Holmes student that was upset that his image was used in a YouTube video that was met with online comments that did not portray the schools "in the best of light."
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"This is totally illegal to use students and their images," he said.
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Superintendent Lynda Jackson thanks Covington Police
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The Covington Police Department was thanked for its actions in breaking up a large fight inside the Holmes High School cafeteria that led to the arrests of five 18-year old students and to six other juveniles being cited and turned over to their parents. (SEE: Five students arrested after fight at Holmes) Superintendent Lynda Jackson sent this letter to the department:
On behalf of Covington Independent Public Schools I wish to offer a sincere thank-you for the quick response from the Covington Police Department to the April 9, 2012 fight in the Holmes High School cafeteria. Officers demonstrated a high level of professionalism and care as they entered into a situation in which they had limited information. Our schools and community are fortunate to have individuals dedicated to serve and protect. We look forward to a continued partnership promoting the safety of our students, staff, and community.
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