They got away with it

There was a school board meeting today. The public forum was not on the agenda.

I. Call to Order
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
C. Adoption of Agenda (Discussion / Action)

As you can see, the agenda listed the adoption of the agenda as a discussion and action item. I sought to comment on the adoption before it was too late. Robert Lucero stated that discussion, my comment, was not allowed before the agenda was voted on; because until then the meeting had not yet begun. This despite that fact that discussion was clearly appropriate, and that the discussion and adoption of the agenda was the third item on agenda after the meeting was called to order. I believe that Robert Lucero simply made up his "argument" on the spot; that it was fabricated to suit his ends.

Paula Maes and the rest of the board agreed with Lucero's indefensible and patently absurd reasoning.

Until I am proved wrong by someone more expert than I in Robert's Rules of Order; it is my opinion that Lucero and the board are simply bullies who trample those who stand in their way. And who then cannot be held accountable for this or any other of their misconduct.

During the “off the record public forum”, four of seven board members were not even present. Had anyone chosen to speak during the forum, they would have been speaking to more empty chairs, than occupied.

When I asked a rather large audience to stand up in support of their belief that the public forum belongs on the agenda and on the record, a half a dozen people stood up. I am grateful for the courage they displayed; the courage they modeled for a dozen or so young people in the room. Unfortunately six people, no matter how courageous, are far too few to make a difference.

The agenda of the next meeting of the board of education will not include a public forum.