Wednesday, March 2, 2022

SRO press event - what a waste!

 


This morning's "press event" was totally unnecessary. It was a "splash" just because it could be put on.

Everthing said or done could have been accomplished with a two-paragraph press release. The superintendent wanted some face-time, screen-time, something to put in his scrapbook. 

Sheriff Lott was brief.

Teresa Holmes was all gushy and will claim some "bytes" for her next political campaign. Whatever her day job is, she should not give it up to become an emcee. Her egocentric demand for recognition and attention came across as just that. A demand for attention and obedience and acclaim. And False. Where did she think she was? Training at Walmart? I almost expected her to call for a cheer: "Give me an S. Give me a R. Give me an O. S-R-O!"

Board members (four) in attendance, in addition to Holmes, made it a quorum. When a quorum is present, there it is a Meeting. And Notice should have been given, with an agenda. There wasn't. So this morning's meeting constituted a violation of the South Carolina FOIA law.

Two Council Council members attended. Big deal. And one representative of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

One question was asked by a man (a reporter?) in the audience. His question was not audible during the meeting, because no microphone was handed to him. (Why not? No advance planning?) And the question was not repeated by the moderator of the Q&A.

No question was asked about the cost of the ten new SROs, who began working on March 1 (yesterday). No mention was made of the schools to which they were assigned.

The budget shows almost $4,500,000 spent on SROs before the ten new ones. If RCSD charges $150,000/year for each SRO, then ten new ones will cost $1,500,000. And Richland Two will account for $6,000,000 for SROs.

Opinions, anyone?

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