Editor,
The Bryan County Board of Education welcomes comments and feedback from parents, community members, and stakeholders. We, as parents ourselves, understand the importance of advocacy on behalf of one’s own child. Additionally, as long-term residents of Bryan County, we are passionate and committed to the Bryan County School System and support a continuous growth and improvement mindset, at every level.
The Board of Education’s public participation policy does not restrict individuals from addressing the board; however, it does provide certain protocols to ensure meetings are conducted in a professional and orderly manner. Currently, individuals may address the board on any agenda item. If an item is not on the board agenda, members of the public can meet with staff in an attempt to gain information and work towards obtaining a timely solution. If a resolution is not achieved, the individual can be placed on the next applicable board agenda. It is worth noting 18 individuals have addressed the board since January 28, 2021. Also, all board policies are periodically reviewed by legal counsel to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and statutes. There are a multitude of other school districts across the state with similar participation policies.
The Bryan County School System has not impeded, interfered with, or violated any person’s ability to speak to the board. The board is well within its rights to set parameters for the orderly operation of board meetings. Without a doubt, individuals do have a right to free speech; however, individuals are also responsible for their words and actions. For example, a middle school student has the right to express themselves; however, if they choose to utilize profanity as prohibited by a code of conduct, the student is subject to certain consequences and/or restrictions going forward.
Mrs. Betsy DeBry requested to be on the Board of Education agenda for the September 23, 2021 meeting and her request was granted. She was advised at the time of her request, by the administrative assistant, she would be allotted up to 3 minutes to speak. Additionally, the evening of September 22, she received an email regarding guidelines for comments. All speakers on the agenda received an email from the Board Chairman stating, “You will be allotted up to 3 minutes. I will motion to you when you have spoken for 2 minutes, as a signal to wrap up your comments. At 3 minutes I will verbally note that your time has expired and thank you for your participation in our meeting.” Mrs. DeBry replied to this email and affirmed her plans to attend and speak.
Additionally, upon entrance prior to the start of the meeting, the Board Chair spoke with Mrs. DeBry (as is customary practice for speakers on the agenda), and verbally reiterated the time limit and the signals that would be given at the 2 and 3 minute mark. Again, Mrs. DeBry confirmed her understanding of this expectation.
Mrs. DeBry was the first speaker on the agenda. She was signaled at 2 minutes and at 3 minutes was told her allotted speaking time was concluded. She indicated she was not finished speaking and continued with her remarks, despite a warning and a notice her 3 minutes had expired.
No current member of the Board of Education can remember any speaker in our history blatantly ignoring the direction of the Board Chair regarding public participation in a meeting. While the Board understands there may be great passion surrounding the comments we receive, expectations are clearly stated, and decorum must be followed. We cannot allow meetings to become lawless and out of control. If the Board of Education cannot function in an orderly fashion, then our students will suffer; we cannot conduct our business as needed.
Mrs. DeBry later expressed a desire to speak again in October regarding curriculum concerns. Mrs. DeBry was alerted, per our clearly stated policy, her right to address the Board had been forfeited. It was discussed with Mrs. DeBry this forfeiture of her ability to address the Board was based solely on her actions and disregard for expectations of conduct by speakers. Alternatively, in an attempt to answer and address all of Mrs. DeBry’s concerns and questions, she was offered a meeting with the Board Chair, Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. The Board of Education agreed this attempt to listen, understand, and address all of Mrs. DeBry’s concerns would be more effective than a time limited comment.
On November 18th, Mrs. DeBry met with the Board Chair, Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent for approximately 2 ½ hours. There were no time constraints or topics that were off limits. Mrs. DeBry was offered complete discretion to ask questions regarding any matter she wanted to address. Of note, Mrs. DeBry has no children enrolled in the Bryan County School System and produced no artifacts to support her vague allegations. Many of her concerns were based on rumors or hearsay. The process for having concerns addressed, at every level, was shared with her. She was reassured when given a specific concern or concrete lead to follow, the most appropriate staff person would be assigned to investigate complaints.
Additionally, during the 2 ½ hour meeting, Mrs. DeBry expressed her feelings regarding the Board of Education’s governance structure and public participation process. Specifically, Mrs. DeBry noted displeasure that the Superintendent is requested by the Board to attempt to address concerns prior to community members addressing the Board. The Chairman discussed with Mrs. DeBry that state laws govern board member conduct. Specifically noted is that Board of Education members are prohibited by law from managing day to day matters of the school system; that is the role of the Superintendent.
Also shared with Mrs. DeBry was the belief that in all high functioning organizations, complaints should be given the opportunity to be resolved at the lowest level possible. Clarification was provided that the Superintendent is not attempting to prohibit speakers from addressing the Board of Education, but instead attempting to resolve concerns expeditiously.
Historically the Board of Education has received positive feedback when concerns are addressed by the most appropriate staff member. Parents or stakeholders rarely, if ever, still need to address the Board. Their matter has been resolved. Parents have been thankful that their concern was addressed in the timeliest and most efficient manner.
On January 25th, Mrs. DeBry requested to be placed on the January 27th agenda. The Board Chairman responded to Mrs. DeBry’s email request restating that Mrs. DeBry’s right to address the Board publicly had been forfeited. The email to Mrs. DeBry stated, “Your request to speak at the January 27th meeting is respectfully declined based on your intentional disregard for public comment protocols at a previous meeting. Policy BCBI states, ‘Failure to comply with this policy may result in forfeiture of the right to participate in future meetings.’” The response also indicated that Mrs. DeBry was welcome to direct her comments to the Board of Education via email and they would be taken under advisement.
However, despite receiving notice her ability to participate in meetings was denied (based on her previous behavior) and her request was declined, Mrs. DeBry still attempted to address the board at its January 27th meeting. Her actions can only be viewed as an intentional attempt to disrupt a public meeting. The state, through its adoption of GA Code § 16-11-34 (2020) clearly recognizes the importance of conducting public meetings in an orderly fashion. It was extremely unfortunate the meeting started with celebrating student success but turned into one where students were removed because of the disruptive conduct of adults.
The Bryan County Board of Education does not hide from or purposely ignore conflict, disagreement, or negativity. At its July 2021 and September 2021 meetings, multiple community members, including Mrs. DeBry addressed the board. Some of the comments from the individuals included accusations of chromebooks being embedded with critical race theory (which is not being taught in any form or fashion in any Bryan County School) and board members being told they were going to hell.
In closing, we would be remiss if we did not take this opportunity to stand up for our teachers and staff. They are working harder than ever to support our students in continuously unprecedented times. Not only are they demonstrating a high-level work ethic and commitment to our children and community, but they are also producing results! Bryan County School System is ranked 8th out of 180 school districts in literacy. Our CCRPI scores are 13th out of 180 school districts. In 2013, the graduation rate at Bryan County High School was 61.8% and Richmond Hill High School’s was 80.4%. In 2021, Bryan County High School had a graduation rate of 90.32% Richmond Hill High School, 94%. During a national and local teaching shortage, our teacher retention rate for 2021 was the highest it has been in the last decade since we began tracking this information.
To assert that our District is “broken and not serving our children” is unfathomable. Allegations of our teachers indoctrinating or brainwashing students with various agendas is ridiculous and insulting. The Bryan County Board of Education provides their unwavering support to our employees, and we are unable to express the magnitude of our appreciation for what they do each and every day. We are grateful and humbled by the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing school district.
Bryan County Board of Education
