At first, I wondered why Richland 2 didn't record the start of its board meeting. The meeting was scheduled to start at 5:00PM.
Did something occur during the beginning minutes of the meeting that the District would prefer the public not to know about? You bet! See below.
While normally the Board quickly adjourns to Executive Session, that is not always the case. A board member might have a comment to make, and the public is entitled to hear it.
The first video I viewed was actually the end of the August 10th meeting and the recording started with Holmes calling the meeting to order (re-convening) and asking for a motion
For the first 17 seconds, background "noise" (unintelligible conversation) can be heard on the recording of the meeting. At 00:17 on the recording Holmes (or someone else) can be heard saying, "OK, ummm". At 00:34 Holmes asks, "Y'all wanna go home?" At 00.39 Holmes says, "My people, y'all wanna go home?" The video comes on, and Holmes giggles. At 00:47 she raps the gavel and asks for a motion to come back [sic] out of executive session.
Can you believe that? Who are "My people"? If I had been sitting on the board last night, I would have stood and walked out. Right after marching up to Holmes and stating, "I am not 'your people'!"
The six seated there are not "her people". They are fellow board members. EQUAL board members. Well, except for McKie and Holmes herself, who have never taken the oath of office legally.
I emailed the District and was directed to https://livestream.com/richland2. Once there, I saw three video panels to the right.
The top one (Length 03:20) is the end of the meeting and begins after the second executive session.
The middle one (Length 2:15:50) starts at 20:35. The video begins with the re-convened meeting after the first executive session.
The third video (Length 17:07) is the beginning of the 8/10/2021 meeting. The video starts at 14:54.
This is the one you want to see. This is where the first fireworks are. Holmes, acting as chair even though she is not a legitimate member of the board or the legitimate chair, calls the meeting to order. A motion was made and seconded to enter executive session. When discussion was asked for, Holmes was looking around and then recognized Trustee Agostini.
Agostini requested that the board postpone discussing the superintendent's evaluation, because she just received materials the day before after 5:00pm. Holmes said Agostini's concern was noted and asked for further discussion. Agostini restated that she wishes to make a motion to postpone the evaluation. Agostini's motion failed for lack of a second. (NOTE: Robert's Rules of Order 49:21 Procedure in Small Boards (less than a dozen members): "2) Motions need not be seconded.") Holmes moved on to the vote, while tapping her fingers (I'd say, in annoyance). Watch Holmes' expression.
There was a hand vote (Agostini did not raise her hand). Holmes announced that the motion passes, without referring to a count of votes. Agostini stated to Holmes that Holmes had not asked for those opposed.
In a very snippy tone of voice, Holmes said, "I don't need to ask. I'm conducting this meeting, Ms. Agostini, and I'll conduct it how I see fit."
SMACK DOWN! Wow! Is this an indication of how future board meerings will be run?
It's Teresa's way or the highway.
I will watch the rest of the meeting later.
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