The Alachua County School Board reflected on its new policy for public comment during an Aug. 13 workshop — less than two weeks after a rowdy meeting was sparked by board Chair Sarah Rockwell’s online comments about the death of Hulk Hogan.
With Rockwell present virtually, the five-member board during its workshop revisited its new public comment policy that was approved July 31 on second reading.
Alachua County Public Schools Attorney David Delaney gave a presentation to the board that included the policy’s five new standards.
With a focus on balancing board responsibilities, the presentation included recent court decisions and how they impact public officials as it relates to social media and public comments during board meetings.
Regarding social media, Delaney said board members can post opinions on their personal social media accounts. Delaney said if a board member wishes to exercise that right, social media posts should include the disclaimer, “This is the personal page of (board member). The views expressed here are strictly my own.”
No such disclaimer was included with Rockwell’s July post on Hogan, which read, “Oh did Hulk die? I didn’t even know. Good. One less MAGA in the world.”
Rockwell’s comment created an outcry among Republicans both locally and nationally after Fox News picked up the story.
During the first public meeting following her post, Rockwell apologized “to everyone who was hurt or offended by my words.”
During public comment, a man called Rockwell disgusting and a vile human being.
As the man left the podium to a roar of boos, board member Tina Certain asked deputies to remove him from the meeting. She reversed course, however, after Delaney advised against the decision.
During the Aug. 13 workshop, Delaney said when it comes to board members posting personal opinions, there is an expectation that public officials are going to hear complaints. Those complaints, however, must not disrupt the normal course of the meeting.
Certain asked Delaney if the district can warn someone who is being disruptive outside of public comment and then have them removed if it continues, to which he confirmed.
Board member Leanetta McNealy said she would be more comfortable if an attorney would present the policy at public meetings. Board Member Thomas Vu agreed.
Calling her stance “ambivalent” on who should read the new policy at every meeting, she said the policy should be included on the forms used to sign up for public comment and online.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua County School Board holds workshop to reflect on new public comment policy
Reporting by Elliot Tritto, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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