The Linn-Mar School Board President had a parent removed by police from the Aug. 29 meeting when the parent asked if she could ask a question during board discussion. The president of the school board, acting much more like an unhappy dictator, had the police remove the parent within seconds.
The incident happened during board discussion of a contract for an upcoming presenter called Joe Beckman from TILL360.
School board member Matt Rollinger was asking various questions and pondering if there was a way the “community presentation” Beckman is going to give could take place prior to Beckman’s presentations to students so parents would have a better understanding of what would be discussed. And then parents could make a much more informed decision on whether they’re comfortable with their children attending.
The Linn-Mar School Board “Dictator,” a woman called Brittania Morey, said there is a process where things are shared and with the community presentation planned, things would be shared in advance.
The parent asked if she could ask a question.
“No,” Morey said. “I’m sorry.”
The parent expressed a desire for the community presentation to happen before students are exposed to the presentation.
Morey quickly angered.
“Ma’am, audience cannot…I’m gonna have to ask you to leave…I’m gonna have to ask you to…leave, please.”
The parent said, “you’re not listening to me.”
“Officer Dobbs, can you please ask her to leave?” Morey asked.
The parent tried to make her point once more before Morey pounded her gavel and raised her voice.
“I’m sorry, this is under law. You have to leave no ma’am. You have to leave now, you’ve disrupted the meaning per Iowa law.”
It should be noted that during various board meetings The Iowa Standard has attended, board members have engaged in conversation with various citizens during discussion on items of interest such as this.
Morey, who presides over the board that is already being sued by parents in the district, clearly did not want to allow for a question or discussion.
This video posted by Gage West shows Morey’s demeanor during the incident. She was quickly dismissive of hearing any concerns from citizens.
The discussion centered around TILL360, which states it knows all schools want to create a “positive, equitable, high-quality instruction and collaborative environment for students, staff and families.”
You can watch most of the discussion below:
